Loose Header Bolts Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

big.l.a · 07-06-2002, 02:25 PM

What the best way to keep the Header bolts tight. I am tring
lock washers now (Summit has some locks for $31+ thats a bit much in my oppion for some bolts) . And are the copper gaskets the best ones to get.

Super Chevy · 07-06-2002, 02:33 PM

i hear those dead soft alluminum gaskets are good, after you put the new gaskets in,and warm the motor up real good go back over the bolts again and tighten them after the gaskets seat

S-C

Mudder · 07-06-2002, 02:43 PM

Cut your flanges on each side of the center 2 tubes and use metalic manifold gaskets. You wont have no more problems.

junkyardjohn · 07-06-2002, 02:43 PM

I'VE USED THE COPPER GASKETS WITH MIXED RESULTS. ON GOOD HEADERS, WITH A 3/8" FLANGE (HOOKER SUPER COMP. OR DOUG THORLYS) THEY WORK GREAT. BUT ON A SET OF CHEAPIE HEADERS THAT I HAD ON ONE OF MY TRUCKS, THEY WOULDN'T SEAL AT ALL. AS FAR AS THE STAGE "8" LOCKS, IT WOULD BE THE BEST $35 YOU EVER SPENT. I'VE BEEN USING THEM FOR YEARS & WOULDN'T EVEN CONSIDER RUNNING HEADERS WITHOUT THEM. I CAN'T STREES ENOUGH HOW NICE IT IS TO HAVE HEADERS THAT NEVER EVER COME LOOSE & LEAK.

Mudder · 07-06-2002, 02:58 PM

cut your flanges with a sawsall on the arrows. you wont have any trouble with the bolts coming loose.

Denny · 07-06-2002, 03:17 PM

Thanks for the tip on cutting the header flanges.

mikep · 07-06-2002, 03:21 PM

I used to safety wire everything. Habit I picked up in the military. Never had anything loosen with safety wire. I'm too lazy now but it works great. I use copper gaskets and have never had a problem with leaks.

WORNBRAKES · 07-06-2002, 04:27 PM

mikep--I thought I was the only one that used safety wire on the truck. Good to know I am not. Safety wire is almost as handy as duct tape.

69GMC910 · 07-06-2002, 04:33 PM

WHOA! Don't push it there WORNBRAKES, Safety wire will never come close to the almighty DUCT TAPE!!!!!

SCOTI · 07-06-2002, 04:44 PM

A dirt cheap alternative to 'stage 8' hardware is standard lock washers & red loctite on the threads + the sectioning of the flange.

tom hand · 07-06-2002, 05:04 PM

Safety wire or loctite won't stop headers from getting loose. The bolts don't get loose, the gasket between the headers and the head compresses because of the difference between the steel and the cast iron. If you have headers, they just need to be tightened every so often, end of story. If you can't deal with it, get manifolds.

big.l.a · 07-06-2002, 05:19 PM

Thanks for the Good Info I would have never though of
cuting the Flanges

Mudder · 07-06-2002, 06:15 PM

I don't even check mine anymore.

Longhorn Man · 07-06-2002, 06:29 PM

This has never been a problem on my Chevies either. Only my old honda...but we won't tqalk about my days when I was on the dark side.

junkyardjohn · 07-06-2002, 06:44 PM

Quote:

The bolts don't get loose

BY TOM HAND-----THEY SURE DO. I'VE HAD HEADERS ON MY DAYLY DRIVEN BLAZER FOR 3 1/2 YEARS WITH STAGE "8" LOCKS IN PLACE & HAVEN'T HAD TO RETIGHTEN THEM YET.

07-06-2002, 02:25 PM	#1
big.l.a Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Allen, TX. USA Posts: 210	Loose Header Bolts Question What the best way to keep the Header bolts tight. I am tring lock washers now (Summit has some locks for $31+ thats a bit much in my oppion for some bolts) . And are the copper gaskets the best ones to get. __________________ 71 C10 LWB With Edelbrock 7101& 1406 Carb Accel HEI Blue Print Accel 8.8 Wires Soon to have possi & 186 Camel hump heads Dropped 2-1/2F&4R Dynomax Headers Duals Flowtech Aftburners Tonneau Cover Frm 89 F150 79 Monte C

07-06-2002, 02:43 PM	#3
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Simple and cheap Cut your flanges on each side of the center 2 tubes and use metalic manifold gaskets. You wont have no more problems.

07-06-2002, 02:43 PM	#4
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	I'VE USED THE COPPER GASKETS WITH MIXED RESULTS. ON GOOD HEADERS, WITH A 3/8" FLANGE (HOOKER SUPER COMP. OR DOUG THORLYS) THEY WORK GREAT. BUT ON A SET OF CHEAPIE HEADERS THAT I HAD ON ONE OF MY TRUCKS, THEY WOULDN'T SEAL AT ALL. AS FAR AS THE STAGE "8" LOCKS, IT WOULD BE THE BEST $35 YOU EVER SPENT. I'VE BEEN USING THEM FOR YEARS & WOULDN'T EVEN CONSIDER RUNNING HEADERS WITHOUT THEM. I CAN'T STREES ENOUGH HOW NICE IT IS TO HAVE HEADERS THAT NEVER EVER COME LOOSE & LEAK. __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

07-06-2002, 02:58 PM	#5
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Trying this pic cut your flanges with a sawsall on the arrows. you wont have any trouble with the bolts coming loose.

07-06-2002, 03:17 PM	#6
Denny Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Cedar Hill, MO Posts: 426	Thanks for the tip on cutting the header flanges. __________________ 1969 Chevy C10. Dakota Digital Gauges, 383 Votex Engine, MSD 8361 Distributor, MSD 6A Unit, Demon Carb, Phoenix Transmission 4L80E trans, 3:73 Posi Rear End Early Classics 6 Lug Disc Brakes and Spindles All Stainless Lines

07-06-2002, 02:33 PM	#2
Super Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,025	i hear those dead soft alluminum gaskets are good, after you put the new gaskets in,and warm the motor up real good go back over the bolts again and tighten them after the gaskets seat S-C

07-06-2002, 03:21 PM	#7
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I used to safety wire everything. Habit I picked up in the military. Never had anything loosen with safety wire. I'm too lazy now but it works great. I use copper gaskets and have never had a problem with leaks. __________________ No truck :-(

07-06-2002, 04:27 PM	#8
WORNBRAKES Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hughesville, MD Posts: 1,350	mikep--I thought I was the only one that used safety wire on the truck. Good to know I am not. Safety wire is almost as handy as duct tape. __________________ Mario and Mandy Hughesville, MD 20637 69 C10 305/350 71 K5 Basket case 75 K10 Rescue Parting out 77 MG Midget Parting out 15 6.7L Cummins

07-06-2002, 04:33 PM	#9
69GMC910 MOTORHEAD! Join Date: May 2000 Location: Devon AB, Canada Posts: 849	WHOA! Don't push it there WORNBRAKES, Safety wire will never come close to the almighty DUCT TAPE!!!!! __________________ 82 GMC High Sierra VortecPro 496 12 Bolt, 3.42's AFR 265 Holley 850 Performer RPM Air Gap Hooker 2455's TCI Turbo 400 Super Street Fighter TRRC 12 Bolt Eaton Posi Mark Williams Axles Cal-Tracs Hoosier 30x10.5 Radial Slick Full weight long box pickup Current best- 11.33@117mph

07-06-2002, 04:44 PM	#10
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	A dirt cheap alternative to 'stage 8' hardware is standard lock washers & red loctite on the threads + the sectioning of the flange. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

07-06-2002, 05:04 PM	#11
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Safety wire or loctite won't stop headers from getting loose. The bolts don't get loose, the gasket between the headers and the head compresses because of the difference between the steel and the cast iron. If you have headers, they just need to be tightened every so often, end of story. If you can't deal with it, get manifolds. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS Last edited by tom hand; 07-06-2002 at 05:08 PM.

07-06-2002, 05:19 PM	#12
big.l.a Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Allen, TX. USA Posts: 210	Headers Thanks for the Good Info I would have never though of cuting the Flanges __________________ 71 C10 LWB With Edelbrock 7101& 1406 Carb Accel HEI Blue Print Accel 8.8 Wires Soon to have possi & 186 Camel hump heads Dropped 2-1/2F&4R Dynomax Headers Duals Flowtech Aftburners Tonneau Cover Frm 89 F150 79 Monte C

07-06-2002, 06:15 PM	#13
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	IT WORKS! I don't even check mine anymore.

07-06-2002, 06:29 PM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	This has never been a problem on my Chevies either. Only my old honda...but we won't tqalk about my days when I was on the dark side.



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