header bolts

[NOVAhoe]

so for you guys that are running aftermarket headers on your trucks did you have any issues with the bolts breaking? I really want to throw a set on my truck but it worries me so much that i dont wanna do it lol, it happened to my k5 and it was not fun at all, 4 bolts ended up breaking, 2 on each side, and it was hell, i ended up pulling the heads off to get them out

 

[Ceejkay]

i was lucky when i pulled my manifolds off, the bolts came out easy

 

[craz-28]

Having done a few sets of header on multiple vehicles I can say you cant go wrong with prep work. The last few sets I've replaced or helped replace have all started the same way. Get yourself some decent penitrating spray and give each bolt a good soaking and repeat 2 or 3 times (waiting 15 minutes between each soaking). Let sit over night and in the morning hit the bolts with a wrench/socket. Doing this I've had very vew problems removing bolts. If you do run into a sticking bolt, give it another blast and come back to it when your done.

This is not a fool proof plan of attack but has worked for me over the years. Oh yeah, make sure the engine is cool before you start blasting it with spray.

 

[retorq]

It'll be easiest to get the engine up to temp and then try to pull the bolts. I'm from New England and have New England cars ... it's not the same as working on my truck from AZ.

 

[NOVAhoe]

yeah my k5 was obviously in a lot worse shape the my truck is now, but of course the only rusty looking parts on my engine are the manifolds and the bolts haha, i guess ill keep shopping around for headers and then ill just go for it, ill just drown them in penetrating spray lol

 

[TigerEyz3]

PB Blaster is what I used when I swapped my manifolds out for my headers... I didn't hit 'em the night before, but I did get a couple hours soak time before I started removing the bolts (sprayed the bolts before I started removing the preliminary stuff). No breakage at all... new bolts came with the headers so I didn't reuse the OEM bolts.

 

[NOVAhoe]

sweet, makes me feel a little better about it lol

 

[AtomicHoe094]

i did retorqs method and nothing happened to me.. goodluck!

 

[robhenry2990]

are we talking manifold to head or manifold to exhaust bolts? i just removed the head to mani with no problem but i am kinda worried about the studs in the mani to exhaust. im doing craz's way. been soaking all day and tomorrow wit start out with another blast of P.B. Blaster and a good wrench tap.