header nut question

[dukcaln]

what is the correct way to loosen and tighten these types of nuts... I think I have a header leak and can spin a couple of the washers behind these on one side of my header.... do I have to loosen the allen wrench then once it is loose tighten down the nut and then the allen again. I do not want to mess the nut up so I am asking before I try... look at picture below

[lil hoodlum]

You don't have to use an allen wrench, you can just use a socket or wrench on the outside of the bolt. Those are stage 8 locking header bolts. I have some on my truck. You want to tighten the bolt down and then slip the half moon clip against the header tube where the bolt cannot turn counter clockwise and then install your clip.

Good luck,

Keith

[lil hoodlum]

On the picture provided, you want the top part of the half moon against the header tube. You have the bottom part of the half moon against the tube.

Keith

[dukcaln]

so the clips have to come off before I tighten it down

[lil hoodlum]

Yes, I would take the clips and half moons off and retighten the bolts. After the bolts are tighten then install the half moons then clips. The half moons job is to "block" the bolt from turning counter clockwise, i.e. loosen.

You may have to loosen a bolt a little bit or tighten a little bit more to get the half moons in the blocking position.

Keith

[dukcaln]

are the clips hard to remove and if so will they get damaged.... I just think that the previous owner never went back to re torq and I may have a leak.... everything seems tight but with the moons on it is hart to say if they can be tightened more,,,, so basically remove the clips, loosen the bolt and postion the moon right then tighten back down and reinstall the clip if I dont damage it when I remove it...

[lil hoodlum]

That sounds about right. Just make sure you take both the half moons and clips off before retightening the bolts. Yes, sometimes the clips can be hard to remove. I have broken one or two.

Keith

[lil hoodlum]

Here are you few pictures of them installed on my headers. I hope this helps.

Keith

[dukcaln]

yes very helpful..... thank you

[lil hoodlum]

Your welcome! Glad I could help. Too bad my motor and headers are so dirty (they are just old). I wish my stuff was as clean as yours.

Keith

[aussiejohn]

G'day,

Just remember, the half moons are aluminum so they bend easily. However, they are also easy to file if they don't want to fit when the bolt is tight and the position of the hex head makes it look as if the half moon won't fit. Also, they can be flipped upside down, or even swapped with another one if the fit is not right.

Hope this helps.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

[lil hoodlum]

Good point aussiejohn. It has been along time since I installed these and they do work. I also used an aluminum gasket and have not had any exhaust leaks from my headers with the Stage 8 locking header bolts. They were a bit pricey though, I think I paid $40 or so around 10 years ago.

Keith

[aussiejohn]

Keith,
I bought two sets of Stage 8 header bolts at Vic Hubbard's in Hayward (???) CA in June this year. I'm sure I only paid in the low forties for each. I've already fitted one set to my '74 Corvette with Sanderson block huggers and am a few weeks off fitting the other set to my '67 GMC pickup with a set of stainless steel headers. Will post foters when I learn how to.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

[dukcaln]

thanks all, you helped alot. I was able to get the moon and clip off with ease and found I have a header gasket issue... so at least it is the easy side to change.... and at least that was all that was wrong with my tiny tic.....