Broken Header Bolt
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove USA
Broken Header Bolt
OK...out of 16 header bolts, one is giving me fits and I think it is ready to break off. The headers I am installing have a thick 3/8 flange, so how bad will it be if I have one missing bolt? Will it leak, or can I get a decent seal? I am still working the bolt but I am worried.
Suggestions?
Suggestions?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Broken Header Bolt
I think it will leak and effect the torque of the other bolts. If you do break it off, what I would do is run the engine and let the manifold get toasty, shut off the engine, get a pair of visegrips and work forwards and backwards on the bolt with a lot of WD-40.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove USA
Broken Header Bolt
Well it broke off, and there was a broken flange from another bolt too. That side seemed to seal OK, but the other side, the drivers side, has a small leak. All the bolts went OK on the drivers side. Go figure. Any siggestions on gaskets to get a really good seal?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
Broken Header Bolt
Check the workshop forum for tips & tricks for getting that bold out.
My favorite is to weld a nut onto what's left of the bold and use an impact wrench to remove it. The heat from welding it usually frees it up pretty well. It hasn't failed me yet.
Kevin K.
My favorite is to weld a nut onto what's left of the bold and use an impact wrench to remove it. The heat from welding it usually frees it up pretty well. It hasn't failed me yet.
Kevin K.
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Waldport Lincoln
Broken Header Bolt
Re: Gaskets
I've tried a set of 'Dead Soft' aluminum gaskets that I had heard about from a 4x4 magazine. They work great! They were about $40 from NAPA, and they're reusable! I've never had a set seal so well, and I've had many sets of headers...
...'Just an idea.
I've tried a set of 'Dead Soft' aluminum gaskets that I had heard about from a 4x4 magazine. They work great! They were about $40 from NAPA, and they're reusable! I've never had a set seal so well, and I've had many sets of headers...
...'Just an idea.
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