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so.. went to change my header gaskets today

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xsmokey11499x

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Pulled all 6 bolts out, Pulled the headers away from the heads, Pulled the gasket out.. Put new gasket on hand tightened the front and back bolts in A turn or two..
Put the rest of the bolts in.. and CRAP! the bolt closest to the Firewall by #8 is stripped out... Wont tighten down tight..
no wonder where my exhaust leak has been coming from...


On a side note, Picked up a set of smog legal Hedman headers on craigslist for Free!!:deal:
 
How much thread engagement do your header bolts have? I've seen header bolts that were too short on more than one occasion.

Sounds like it's time for a heli-coil and you'll be back in business. Hopefully it can be done without removing the head. Good luck.
 
I don't have a Tap kit. All I have is an old craftsman toolbox. with some wrenches and sockets. etc..

But the header bolt does seem a little short.. I could try a longer bolt and see what happens ?

also what Thread size is it
 
Idk it depends on flange size really, on my headers i bet they are 3/4" long... With manifolds they are quite long.
 
xsmokey11499x said:
okay.. and what about the longest bolt length I should try?

just dont want to get one too long and go through the head or something?
Click to expand...

With your headers on, stcik a small screw driver and measure the depth of the hole, then get a bolt 1/4" shorter.
Or better would be to put a stud and get it in all the way without tightening it and then put the nut on and tighten.
:thumb:
 
Most of the "kits" out there are a 3/8"-16 x 3/4" length.
I've seen them to go to 1" which would give you a little extra.

But the stud like above would def solve that problem.
 
Yeah, take the bolt that you took out and thread it in without the header on there(just a bare head), see if it bottoms out, and if it does how much gap is under the bolt head, then try the next longer bolt length and see if that bottoms out. Make sure the gap is smaller than the thickness of the header flange.

Finding the bottom of the hole without knowing the depth of the threads can lead to the bolt seizing in the head before it tightens against the header.

If a longer bolt doesn't work, you can get a helicoil kit from the parts store for about $20 that will include the bit, the tap, some inserts, and a plastic install tool. An install tool can also be made from a bolt and a grinder. Be sure to break the tab off before final bolt install.
 
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so I found my exhaust leak I guess.. My headers had a 2inch long crack by the #8 cylinder.. I bolted up the Hedman Hedders I got off Craigslist for free.. But they're longer than my last set of headers. so my exhaust wont bolt up to It, Because my pipe has a bend in it, and it hits the Crossmember. :|. guess I gotta run open headers to the exhaust shop tomorrow..
 
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