Why do my header bolts keep coming lose?
12-31-2008, 02:12 PM
#11
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 678
12-31-2008, 06:20 PM
#13
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Citrus County, FL
Posts: 8,007
but i've been an overweight gearhead for just as long as i've been a gaming nerd.
oh yeah, and as an automotive machinist im pretty sure i know wtf im doing when it comes to motors. also, my dad doesnt tighten my header bolts
oh yeah, and as an automotive machinist im pretty sure i know wtf im doing when it comes to motors. also, my dad doesnt tighten my header bolts
12-31-2008, 07:48 PM
#15
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location:
Posts: 338
Conratulations fat boy. All because my dad does my engine work does not mean I sit around on my *** all day. Working 40 plus hours to pay for college, apartment, and other bills = less time on the stang. I wish I could just work, and play with the stang all day, but that is not an option for me. I am lucky if I get to go to my dad's house to drive it on the weekend. He works on it and tells me the problem. Then I try to find the answer here. (BTW I think he has it easy by not helping me with college) I also did not say you did not know what your doing. What I did say is that fat nerds should stay away from muscle cars.
12-31-2008, 09:52 PM
#17
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location:
Posts: 675
you could just spend $50 and buy some stage 8 locking header bolts. i know that may be to simple though 
http://www.jegs.com/i/Stage+8/868/8911/10002/-1
thats just 1 of many. just search "locking header bolt"
edit: looks like TD beat me to it.
to add to this its a series of clips that hold them in place. you tighten the bolt down, then stick the long arm over the bolt head so that it is held against part of the header and then place the snap ring over this to hold the arm in place.
the arm fits tight to the bolt head and with it being against the header it prevents it from spinning and loosening over time.
edit 2:
here is a picture of them actually on a set of headers so you can see them mounted.
http://www.stage8.com/
if/when the bolt tries to loosen it cant move becuase the arm is pressed up against the header tube.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Stage+8/868/8911/10002/-1
thats just 1 of many. just search "locking header bolt"
edit: looks like TD beat me to it.
to add to this its a series of clips that hold them in place. you tighten the bolt down, then stick the long arm over the bolt head so that it is held against part of the header and then place the snap ring over this to hold the arm in place.
the arm fits tight to the bolt head and with it being against the header it prevents it from spinning and loosening over time.
edit 2:
here is a picture of them actually on a set of headers so you can see them mounted.
http://www.stage8.com/
if/when the bolt tries to loosen it cant move becuase the arm is pressed up against the header tube.
Last edited by 65rangoon; 12-31-2008 at 09:58 PM.
12-31-2008, 10:19 PM
#18
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1,839
You could spend a bunch of money if you want to, but if it doesn't make it go faster, handle better, or stop quicker, I'm stingy. Use antisieze on standard header bolts and go through several heat/cool/tighten cycles and they will stay. I've not seen an engine yet when this wasn't true. I never saw any fancy factory bolts with tabs, locks, or other dohickeys on them.
12-31-2008, 10:35 PM
#20
Foghorn Leghorn
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: I reside in a near constant state of amazment.
Posts: 2,923
+1 on what fakesnakes is laying down.
+100 on using a good anti-seize! If you ever have to take the headers off somewhere down the line you will be clicking your heels because you had the foresight to use the anti-seize.
+100 on using a good anti-seize! If you ever have to take the headers off somewhere down the line you will be clicking your heels because you had the foresight to use the anti-seize.