Got some headers and I'm worried about snapping the bolts

[wrecking-crew]

someone stole my idea......


when i take apart my trucks now ill use the freeze off idea

 

[litlred]

the last time i broke a header bolt it broke at the base of the head. when i got the header off all the way i was able to grab it with a pair of vise grips. it came right out with those...

 

[Dweano]

Alright so the freeze it idea works? I'll try to find some stuff like that then. And I will post the results, i'm hoping to do entire exhaust so hopefully i'll get something improved. I'm also in the middle of a suspension lift ....which is also giving me rust/broken things issues so we'll see when i get around to it.

 

[mge_1]

Darn it. Here goes nothing.

 

[mge_1]

For those that broke off some of the bolts. Would anyone share what size it was? 8mm x 1.25 I heard? What would be the lenght?

 

[88_Eddie]

^
i broke 5 off in my 2.9 heads. i had mine out of the truck, so i just drilled out the bolts and re-tapped where i could.

8x1.25 is probably right, that's what mine are, but like i said it's a 2.9

 

[Dweano]

This is very old haha. Yes I believe thats the right size. Did any body else read my other header related threads? Long story short...coming out wasn't a problem. Putting new ones in were! Tap the ****ing threads before you start to put the new bolts in! And use lotsa penetrating oil!

 

[AllanD]

Embrace the horror and expect to break ALL SIX of the uppers.

talk to everyone about breaking all six uppers,
THEN be extremely thankful when any lesser quantity of them break.

I did my headers with the engine on the engine stand and I had my good 1/2" drill and a shiny new cobalt alloy bit ready to go because whichever ones didn't have snapped off bolts in them were still going to feel the bite of a 21/64" drill bit

Why that size? because that is the tap drill for either an 8mm X 1.25 or 5/16-18 heli-coil tap.

AD

 

[Mac]

Try backing them bolts out till they seem tight, spray again, turn them back in and then back out. Take your time and don't try it all at once.
Dave

 

[mge_1]

Cool beans. Right now just need to work on the driver side. 3 already broke. A buddy of mine will actually help me out. He has all the experience and tools.

 

[bmonee5]

i thought i'd have the same problem on my 83 2.3L when i took the motor out. But all the bolts came right out, and i'm pretty sure it had never been taken apart before. I just PB blasted them for a day or two prior to when i needed to remove the motor and it went really well.