need header install tips

[ciffer]

I am puttng in long tubes tomorrow and am looking for advice. My primary concern is getting the manifold bolts loose without breaking them.

 

[scrappyk5]

For starters, spray some pb blaster on them tonight. Second when you pop them loose, kinda loosen and tighten it back and forth at first to loosen each bolt up. Then once you can loosen without much resistance, finish up. the idea is not to let the bolt heat up by trying to loosen it when its got alot of resistance. they break off that way easier.

 

[76zimmer]

X2, if they are rusty, turn slowly to "feel" the bolt. If its turning really hard, try turning the other way, then back and forth until you can feel some movement. Also make sure you have a good fit with your socket on the bolt head. Sometimes they are rusted enough to have to use a smaller metric, or even the next size smaller SAE.

 

[USSkoval]

Am I the only one that has never had troubles with manifold bolts on a Chevy small block? Only had to deal with them on the LT1 motors, and they break by themselves. It must be a manifold problem on those.

 

[ciffer]

Should I try to get them loose when the heads are still hot or wait until they have cooled?

Any thoughts on using a small impact wrench going forward then reverse to break them loose?

 

[USSkoval]

Just put a ratchet/socket on them and crack em loose.

 

[ciffer]

got the headers in today. soaked the bolts last night and had no trouble with any of them. headers fit well but are tight around the oil filter and starter. I zip tied all the wire out of the was as best I could and put header wrap around the pipes near the started. I hammed the primary tube to clear the oil filter and wrapped the pipe.everything runs well, idles the same. I am bringing to an exhaust shop to get the rest of the exhaust system installed.

 

[76zimmer]

I wouldn't run the header wrap. buy a heat shield for the starter instead.
that header wrap will accelerate corrosion.

 

[dhcomp]

Just put a ratchet/socket on them and crack em loose.

Don't do this . This is a guaranteed way to break them off.

Put a wrench on them, and tap the end with a hammer towards tight, then loose, then tight, etc. This will help get them moving before you just try and twist the bolt head off.

I managed to get all the ones out of my burb this way, after breaking 3 on my blazer just trying to "crack them loose"

You will understand when you break one you can't extract, its worth the time to do it slowly, breakign them loose carefully as you go.

 

[USSkoval]

Don't do this . This is a guaranteed way to break them off.

Put a wrench on them, and tap the end with a hammer towards tight, then loose, then tight, etc. This will help get them moving before you just try and twist the bolt head off.

I managed to get all the ones out of my burb this way, after breaking 3 on my blazer just trying to "crack them loose"

You will understand when you break one you can't extract, its worth the time to do it slowly, breakign them loose carefully as you go.

I guess I've just been lucky, because I've taken out literally hundreds of them without any issues. Maybe I just don't "understand" that it actually is a "guaranteed" way to break them off

 

[USSkoval]

got the headers in today. soaked the bolts last night and had no trouble with any of them. headers fit well but are tight around the oil filter and starter. I zip tied all the wire out of the was as best I could and put header wrap around the pipes near the started. I hammed the primary tube to clear the oil filter and wrapped the pipe.everything runs well, idles the same. I am bringing to an exhaust shop to get the rest of the exhaust system installed.

Glad everything worked out for you

 

[dhcomp]

I guess I've just been lucky, because I've taken out literally hundreds of them without any issues. Maybe I just don't "understand" that it actually is a "guaranteed" way to break them off

Ok, maybe not guaranteed, but not a way i would recommend someone do it their first time. Dealing with those broken bolts SUCKS, and i think someone should do whatever they can to try and avoid that.

And it was a 94, california stock truck. So it wasn't due to it being old that i broke them.

 

[ciffer]

The 30 mile highway drive with open headers wasn't exactly pleasent, even with good ear muff it was still annoying.

I bought a full dual exhaust kit from summit with the headers, $60 got it all welded. The mufflers are thrush turbos, nice and quiet at idle, nice tone on the throttle but not at all loud. After 6 months of rotted out cherry bomb it is nice to no need ear plugs on the highway.

I am not a fan of how close the oil filter is to the primary, it almost touches but only on the very bottom. Are there shorter filters available or should I relocate the oil filter?

Ok, maybe not guaranteed, but not a way i would recommend someone do it their first time. Dealing with those broken bolts SUCKS, and i think someone should do whatever they can to try and avoid that.

And it was a 94, california stock truck. So it wasn't due to it being old that i broke them.

I agree, even though I had no problem with the bolts, a broken bolt is never fun but a broken bolt in a head is enough of a risk to warrant extra care.

 

[USSkoval]

There is a shorter filter used in 80's Camaros, AC Delco #PF454 if I'm not mistaken.