header bolts

[Andrew09HEMI]

For those of you who have installed headers yourself did you have any issues with the header bolts breaking??? The only thing stopping me from doing install myself in an apartment parking lot is the bolts breaking and with little experience with drill/tap not sure Id want to do that on a head! My truck is an 09 from up north so its got me thinking... Any suggestion or input would be appreciated! Also, if anyone is using JBA LTs with catless mid pipes please post up your results.. Thanks!

 

[doz]

I pulled my stock manifolds early so I had no issues removing the factory manifold bolts.

You have a 2009 (I am assuming atleast) so itll have a bit more use/wear on them. Get a can of PBBlaster and soak the **** out of them. Thats the best thing you can do. Be sure that you are using a 6 point socket or wrench, so there is no play when turning. If you feel like you are using too much power to try and unscrew them, shoot them again with PBBlaster.

 

[powderbrad]

I only had 8000km on my 11 when I pulled the manifolds off for ARH longs. They came off great.

I suggest if it doesn't "crack" then loosen nicely don't over torque it when attempting to undo it. Thatll likely shear a bolt head off, which isn't bad as long as it doesn't break flush with the block. Like mentioned, get some pen, KROIL or WD or whatever on there maybe even the night before.

Id hate trying to have to remove a flush bolt. Id go through a 12 pack and a few expletives for sure.

If it was me, Id weld a nut to the broken bolt and yank it that way, just protect the main ECU / PCM from the electrical discharge of the welder.

 

[sentrek]

This brings up a question that I have, I am about to order a set of headers very shorty for my truck and the one tool I do not own is a torque wrench. Do these need to be tightened to a specific torque or can I just tighten the **** out of them?

 

[doz]

Tighten them. Be careful to a point, but on some bolts you really cant over-tighten them even if you tried.

A lot of the bolts you cant even get a socket on. Have a small stubby wrech available.

 

[powderbrad]

I torqued MOST of them, some were just GOOD'N'TIGHT!

A year later and still no leaks

 

[Andrew09HEMI]

Thanks for all the responses.. I really hate paying people to do work I can do myself, I'm just not completely sold on doing this. If I had a garage and my tools present I'd feel better about it. Guess the only thing I can do is try tackling it and see what the bolts do and take it from there

 

[doz]

Its really not bad. I did it in my driveway if it makes you feel better I did not use air tools (although if you can get to a compressor it will be much better for tightening the clamps on the y-pipe even if its a day later).

Basic tools is all you really need but like jmg said, swivel head ratchet will help as well as a small swivel socket. I did not use a TQ wrench myself and did not have a leak or any broken bolts.

 

[82Crew]

If you feel like one is going to break, heat it up.