HEADER BOLTS !! antiseize or not ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

redrat · 11-16-2007, 10:09 AM

I have cast heads and I got a new set of headers and ARP header bolts. Should I use antiseize or not ? Also what header gaskets are the best to run on a BIG BLOCK ??

Thanks for the help .. Ryan

bufmatmuslepants · 11-16-2007, 10:24 AM

if you can get hold of the stock GM stainless steel header gaskets those are the best to use, available from any dealership. and yes antisieze is a must if you dont want to risk snapping a bolt down the road if you go to take off the headers.

bowtier · 11-16-2007, 11:42 AM

Check out this thread (specifically Mudders posts) :http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...header+flanges

Mudder posted some pics of his patented "cut the flange" method of installing headers.
I was tired of always blowing gaskets, so I tried it. That was over a year ago and no issues with leaking gaskets at all. *Thank you Mudder*

Oh, and I used teflon tape on my header bolts. None loose yet.

smashingchuck · 11-16-2007, 04:50 PM

absolutely do not put any anti seize on them. they back out on their own as it is! I've had good luck with copper gaskets.

xtreme80 · 11-16-2007, 06:13 PM

I wouldn't think that would be a good idea to use anti-sieze either, but I don't have any experience with it.

Nice idea with the header flanges though!

AirMale · 11-16-2007, 07:26 PM

I use anti seize and never had a bolt back out. I would rather check the torque on them occasionally vs. deal with a stripped hole or broken bolt.

85gmcguy · 11-16-2007, 08:26 PM

I anti-seize everything I don't seal with pipe dope or lock with loc-tite.

piecesparts · 11-20-2007, 05:58 PM

I found something in a car magazine many years ago, that I have used ever since. I put teflon tape on my header bolts and they DO NOT back out and they DO NOT sieze up in the heads. I have all of my trucks and cars treated with the teflon tape and it does not burn up or degrade as it is in use. My wife's impala has had the headers in there for 8 years and they are still snug and fitting just fine. My son's truck has had his headers for four years, and my daily driver has had the headers for 3 years now. My 84 GMC truck with the stroker motor had the motor rebuilt about two years ago after the headers had been on it for 3 years and it all came apart easily. All I had to do was clean the threads and put on new tape, before reassembly.

68GMC454 · 11-20-2007, 07:37 PM

never used anti sieze, but have used indain head gasket selac to keep them from backing out...this time for gaskets i went and just used stock manifold gaskets..they fit...no idea what kinda headers are in it, they were in it when i got the truck...

11-16-2007, 10:09 AM	#1
redrat gearhead Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tulsa OK Posts: 144	HEADER BOLTS !! antiseize or not ?? I have cast heads and I got a new set of headers and ARP header bolts. Should I use antiseize or not ? Also what header gaskets are the best to run on a BIG BLOCK ?? Thanks for the help .. Ryan __________________ 2003 GMC Z71 Daily driver 1982 Chevy 2wd short bed, project, boxerdra@hotmail.com

11-16-2007, 10:24 AM	#2
bufmatmuslepants Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 313	Re: HEADER BOLTS !! antiseize or not ?? if you can get hold of the stock GM stainless steel header gaskets those are the best to use, available from any dealership. and yes antisieze is a must if you dont want to risk snapping a bolt down the road if you go to take off the headers. __________________ 1979 K10 reg cab short bed 33x12.50s - GONE 1988 4x4 reg cab long bed 337k miles - GONE 1995 Z71 GU6 G80 F44 ext cab short bed 149k 305/70/16s - GONE 1995 NZZ GT4 2dr Tahoe 3" lift 14 bolt sf 155k 305/70/16s - GONE 1994 Z28 M6 1995 Z71 GT4 G80 ext cab short bed 215k GONE 1997 GT4 G80 Yukon 4 door leather, sunroof 168k miles GONE 2003 Avalanche Z71 GT4 G80 165k miles

11-16-2007, 11:42 AM	#3
bowtier Nobody rides free Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 1,076	Re: HEADER BOLTS !! antiseize or not ?? Check out this thread (specifically Mudders posts) :http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...header+flanges Mudder posted some pics of his patented "cut the flange" method of installing headers. I was tired of always blowing gaskets, so I tried it. That was over a year ago and no issues with leaking gaskets at all. Thank you Mudder Oh, and I used teflon tape on my header bolts. None loose yet. __________________ '71 C10 LWB 400SB/350TH '86 K2O LWB 350SB/400TH-6" tuff country lift, Shackle flip - plow truck '06 HHR - wifes wheels '01 Blazer - daily driver "It's better to burn out than it is to rust." -Neil Young

11-16-2007, 04:50 PM	#4
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: HEADER BOLTS !! antiseize or not ?? absolutely do not put any anti seize on them. they back out on their own as it is! I've had good luck with copper gaskets. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

11-16-2007, 06:13 PM	#5
xtreme80 Wishin' I had more money! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 1,242	Re: HEADER BOLTS !! antiseize or not ?? I wouldn't think that would be a good idea to use anti-sieze either, but I don't have any experience with it. Nice idea with the header flanges though!

11-16-2007, 07:26 PM	#6
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	Re: HEADER BOLTS !! antiseize or not ?? I use anti seize and never had a bolt back out. I would rather check the torque on them occasionally vs. deal with a stripped hole or broken bolt. __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

11-16-2007, 08:26 PM	#7
85gmcguy Plays with trucks Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 433	Re: HEADER BOLTS !! antiseize or not ?? I anti-seize everything I don't seal with pipe dope or lock with loc-tite. __________________ Gary My Dad's Old Truck 1985

11-20-2007, 05:58 PM	#8
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: HEADER BOLTS !! antiseize or not ?? I found something in a car magazine many years ago, that I have used ever since. I put teflon tape on my header bolts and they DO NOT back out and they DO NOT sieze up in the heads. I have all of my trucks and cars treated with the teflon tape and it does not burn up or degrade as it is in use. My wife's impala has had the headers in there for 8 years and they are still snug and fitting just fine. My son's truck has had his headers for four years, and my daily driver has had the headers for 3 years now. My 84 GMC truck with the stroker motor had the motor rebuilt about two years ago after the headers had been on it for 3 years and it all came apart easily. All I had to do was clean the threads and put on new tape, before reassembly.

11-20-2007, 07:37 PM	#9
68GMC454 THE VILLIAGE IDIOT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tooele, Utah Posts: 1,405	Re: HEADER BOLTS !! antiseize or not ?? never used anti sieze, but have used indain head gasket selac to keep them from backing out...this time for gaskets i went and just used stock manifold gaskets..they fit...no idea what kinda headers are in it, they were in it when i got the truck... __________________ honestly honey,,i have no idea how that truck got here.



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