First time...Just put in Headers.....

I used a 12pt header bolt. I think they were 1 inch. Any of you having problems of them backing out pre-maturely?

Also, how many heat cycles are you guys putting your headers through at first start-up. I heated my car up twice and I still had to crank them down. They are on their pretty good now. I thought I had to do only one heat cycle? I did one full operating temp and one heat up thats wasnt fully up to temp and then tightened the bolts up. So...I bolted the y-pipe up thinking I was done. I thought I'd do one more operating temp and check the driver side....had to tighten em again....So one more heat cycle I guess...? stupid y-pipe is bolted on now cuz I thought I was done...and I still have to do the passenger side for tightening since I did the driver side...now I have to take that "y" off to get to the passenger side.....is this necessary to go through this amount of heat cycles...cuz Im think that their ganna get somewhat loose....or am I wrong...I know this sounds lame but.....this is first time working on a car after plenty of reading...and I've done all this mess by myself with no help along wit this Opti and noone around me wants to do this with me cuz their wack. I mean everything is done and it runs but I done want a exhaust leak...

Oh, If any of you have a fascinating way of tightening the passenger side header bolts without taking off the y-pipe...I wanna know.. uhh, ya right.. ha ha !

Thanks....

 

go through a few heat cycles, eventually they'll stop coming loose. then check them every week or so for a few weeks. they should be fine by then. you didn't mention what brand they are, but you should be able to get all the header bolts from the top, no need to remove the y pipe. good luck

Rob

 

I'll assuming your using the paper gaskets that came with your headers. I would trash them and get some copper typr gaskets or you will becaome real friendly with those bolts and changing gaskets.

Just my 2 cents worth

 

Thanks Rob, I guess I'll go through this one more time...oh...I have slp's ...So...I can get to all the bolts on the driver side from the top. On the passenger side, I can get the first and second bolt up front from the top. I can also get to the last bolt from the top...But I cant get the second to the last bolt...3rd and 4th bolt I think it is...the ones you cant see..

So here's another question....
(And yes I have dual cats...yes I went with the slp kit..I'm thinking of throwing in a off-road pipe..stupid cats are in the way)
I want to know if you have bolted all the passenger bolts without taking off y-pipe...I'm trying to think of a way to do this...so if any slp header owners know of a way..I wanna know...
------
so the slp gaskets are crap? Well, I think it's too late for a switch...just ganna have to ride em out... If I properly tighten these bolts down, I think I'll be fine. So wwhich gasket you recommend in case I blow these down the line...? Felpro? shoot me some part numbers if you can.. (re & cheryl)

 

try cutting a wrench in half and tighten it from the top. it will take some patience because of the limited amount of space.

i have AS&M's so theyre a little different. just throwing some ideas to you. good luck

Rob

 

The gaskets that come with amost all headers are crap.

I found this on Jegs site but almost anyone sells them. I have used this type gaskets for years with NO leaks ever. They are also reusable.

go here! A few rows down you will see a part # for an LT1 (small block chevy "D" port).

Good luck

 

Rob - Yeah, thats what I was thinking...cutting a wrench in half would work great. I think i'll try that tonight...thanks for reminding me. Know what would be sick...cut a wrench in half and then weld the other half diagnol for torq leverage...hmmm. My pops works in a machine shop..I may have to look into that today...

Re&Cheryl- Hey thanks for the link..


Ok, off to cut a wrench & look at this darn car after work.......