Is this normal? Front driver-side header bolt.

[garydan]

I've just took a visual survey of replacing my headers and noticed this oddity. It looks like a bolt going through the AC bracket, through the header into the block. Is this a stock setup? Or is it a hack?

 

[cybrfire]

Not uncommon. Looks like the bolt could be a tad shorter though.

 

[Keitha]

If I remember right, The stock manifold had a bracket in it or a stud that did the same thing. Yours looks a bit rigged, but effective. I just cut the back part of my bracket off and use a regular header bolt.

 

[AKbigsub]

Nothing stock about headers. One size fits most and then modify as needed (or "hack" as you put it).

 

[4X4HIGH]

There is supposed to be a spacer behind that P/S bracket when you run headers. Without a spacer there is nothing holding tension on that front header flange in that location even if you crank that bolt as tight as you can all it will do is bend the P/S bracket backwards.

 

[cybrfire]

There is supposed to be a spacer behind that P/S bracket when you run headers. Without a spacer there is nothing holding tension on that front header flange in that location even if you crank that bolt as tight as you can all it will do is bend the P/S bracket backwards.

Looks like a small diameter bushing behind the bracket.

 

[max 02]

Thats how mine is ,but with a large spacer and no extra washers.

 

[496truck]

Keep the sleeve/spacer/tube between the bracket and header flange, you need that. Get a shorter bolt and one lock washer and lose the rest. The end result will look correct.

Oh, and zip tie that temp sensor wire up away from the header tube.

 

[Stomis]

If I remember right, The stock manifold had a bracket in it or a stud that did the same thing. Yours looks a bit rigged, but effective. I just cut the back part of my bracket off and use a regular header bolt.

Just as a heads up I snapped a power steering bracket bolt and threw the belt because the PO chose to not make something work there.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

There is supposed to be a spacer behind that P/S bracket when you run headers. Without a spacer there is nothing holding tension on that front header flange in that location even if you crank that bolt as tight as you can all it will do is bend the P/S bracket backwards.

mine has a square tube type spacer behind the bolt that keeps that bracket locked in its location. as long as there is a spacer behind it the concept looks correct.

 

[Keitha]

Thanks Stomis: On my 1991 the alternator and p/s (all accessories) are mounted pretty securely on the massive front bracket assembly. I will keep an eye on it however.

 

[badmix]

Im using the factory bolt/stud in that location. Its a pita to change headers or header gasket as you have to loosen up all the P/S bolts and A/C bolts to get that bracket to move and be removed.

I didnt even think of replacing that stud with something more user friendly, until NOW..since I seen this thread, now im going ----> as many times as Ive had the headers off, I should have just replaced the stud with a bolt and kept the spacer. Im going to try and dremel the old stud off so I dont have to loosen up all the a/c & p/s stuff again. oh well. Thanks CK5, now ive got a mini project to work on in the future.

 

[garydan]

So now I admit I'm confused. Looking at the picture I posted at the start of this thread, how would I remove that header bolt/stud/spacer (or whatever its called)?

Do I just lefty-loosy on that big bolt head on the bracket, or do I have to loosen up the bracket to get enough room to remove a spacer?

While I know I could just go out in the garage and play around and figure it out, I'm a bit lazy right now