Small Header problem

[Mr. Land Yacht]

My header bolts keep coming loose.
the last time they came loose, I put teflon paste on all the bolts and tightened down as hard as I could...then tightened some more.
a friend of mine suggested that I use copper gaskets. good idea? bad idea?

-Colin

[1987cp]

Colinmang! Long time no post!

Do you have any sort of lockwashers on there? If you were to buy Mr. Gasket Copperseal gaskets, they come with a set of special split lockwashers they want you to use. Not sure I would swap out the gaskets unless you're suffering from persistent leaks, though.

If you're desparate and either don't want to use lockwashers or lockwashers aren't helping, I suppose you could try something along these lines: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/STG-8911/?image=large

[mrltd]

buy some real bolts and some lockwashers. You can get enough to do 3 cars with nice stainless cap head bolts and lockwashers from mcmaster.com for less than one set of "arp" header bolts. No need for copper gaskets. I swapped a set of those on and haven't had a problem since.

[Mr. Land Yacht]

I hope they're long enough. These Summit headers have a 3/8" flange and not a 1/4" flange like some others.

[1987cp]

I know regular ARP reduced-head header bolts fit fine with 3/8" flanges.

I'll have to check out that McMaster.com ....

Edit: All sorts of options on that site! I don't suppose you know the particular item number you got from them?

[P72Ford]

I have ARP bolts, and 3/8" flange BBKs. The bolts work fine. I tightened them once, and they don't leak. I used antisieze too; if the need ever arrives for them to be removed, I'd like it to be as easy as possible.

I just have Felpro gaskets too, as the ones that came with my headers were garbage.

[hav24wheel]

I've never had a problem with my regular header bolts.. but i have 1 inch long ones, alot of header bolts only seem to be 3/4 inch long.. after i put headers on i drive it so its nice and warm, than retighten the bolts when its still warm.

[mrltd]

I hope they're long enough. These Summit headers have a 3/8" flange and not a 1/4" flange like some others.

you order the length you need.

[packman]

I have ARP bolts, and 3/8" flange BBKs. The bolts work fine. I tightened them once, and they don't leak. I used antisieze too; if the need ever arrives for them to be removed, I'd like it to be as easy as possible.

I just have Felpro gaskets too, as the ones that came with my headers were garbage.

Same here except I got the 5.0L headers from BBK. Whatever bolts they give ya with the headers seem to be little to no hassle. I have tightened them down three times in the two years that I have had them installed.



Packman

[gadget73]

I used to blow gaskets like mad, turns out the crappy header flange was not flat. I had them milled true and they've been working just fine ever since, using black MrGasket header gaskets. Probably could use regular old FelPro exhaust gaskets too, but I already had the others on hand. Those of you with constantly popping gaskets and bolts that keep coming loose might want to pull the header and lay a straight edge on it to be sure the flange is actually flat. If its not, no amount of bolt magic will solve the problem.

[packman]

I used to blow gaskets like mad, turns out the crappy header flange was not flat. I had them milled true and they've been working just fine ever since, using black MrGasket header gaskets. Probably could use regular old FelPro exhaust gaskets too, but I already had the others on hand. Those of you with constantly popping gaskets and bolts that keep coming loose might want to pull the header and lay a straight edge on it to be sure the flange is actually flat. If its not, no amount of bolt magic will solve the problem.

I have heard that is a major problem with Pacesetter headers. IDK if they produce headers for 5.0L Fords, but they give the Z28 owners all kinds of headaches. The Pacesetters that I got for the 292 have straight flanges, but the bolt holes are not lined up to the heads, plus there was some pinching of the primaries to keep them from hitting the intake. If I install another set of headers, I will bolt them up to a head from whatever engine I'm working on and see how they fit before final installation.


Packman

[ironstealth]

no problems here. after putting the dynomax shorties on,i did have to tighten them down a couple of times. used the basic felpro's from van-senus.

[1987cp]

Van Senus? You're from Hammond, then?

[ironstealth]

griffith actually. good place to order and prices are just about the same as summit or jegs,and almost everything is in stock. there warehouse is down the street. You'll see people with shopping carts,full of peformance parts. Guys will go there and drop 2,3 grand on parts. FYI: If you are in the area,dont shop at Whites Pit Stop,total rip-off and the people behind the counter are dumber than autozone high-school kids.

[1987cp]

I'll keep that in mind, though I lived in the area 18 years and had never heard of White's. Highland Auto Parts was my dad's usual source back when we lived in Munster.

Have to remember to keep you posted next time Greg and I meet up ....

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