im putting on my headers and one of the original bolts dont fit in the edlebrock headers. Can i use a different bolt, or does the size really matter?

 

Well, it depends who you ask.

Are you talking about the head of the bolt? Well, size matters in that if it's too small you're going to gouge into the header flange with the points on the bolt.

I think the trick you missed was to push the bolts through the header at an angle before torquing the header down to the head?

 

no the header isnt even on... im just trying to get the bolt into the hole to keep all the bolts in the same holes i got em from and one is too long, i cant seem to get any angles that will allow the bolt to go in. so im wondering if i can switch it with one of the shorter bolts so i can put in that bolt.

 

If the longer bolt isnt holding something special like the bottom alternator bracket, then go for it.

It also might not be a bad idea to just buy new bolts. Another thing is to chease the threads with a tap just to make sure they arent burred up in any way.

 

if youre using the stock bolts a few of them have spacers behind them if i remember correctly. make sure youre not mixing one of those with the other ones. or missing a spacer

 

Buy ALL new bolts and save yourself some headache.