I am in the process of doing the Hooker 2055 install (as soon as they get here from Jet-Hot), but wondered what header bolts everyone is using. I only ask since there seems to be several of the factory manifold bolts that also have braces of some kind bolted to them. Does there happen to be a good place to get these kind of bolts, or maybe a third-gen specific set of header bolts that includes some that would work with these braces? Any info would be great. Thanks.

Terry

 

Your not going to beable to use the factory bracing without some modding and fabrication.

I used 3/8 allen capscrews 3/4" long. It works much better then a hex head bolt or something. With the allen head you can actually tighten the bolts without them stripping.

 

I figured an allen capscrew would have the same tendancy to round if you use the wrong size allen wrench, as a bolt head with the wrong size wrench/socket... Am I missing something?
Also, what if gunk got in the head, you wouldn't be able to get the allen key in very far and make it easier to round, it's happened to me... I guess just pay attention to that...

Most people are really keen on getting locking mechanisms for exhaust fasteners, i'm not sure why, the factory put on manifolds 20yrs ago, and it never loosened up, but Joe Blow goes and puts on headers, and two weeks later the "vibration" loosens it up... Anyone care to explain the difference to me?

Regardless, you'll want a locking mechanism, and the way I see it is:
-torqing bolt gives pre-load, should be good enough
-thread locker
-Stage 8 locking bolts
-split style lockwashers
-jam nuts on studs?

or any other method you can think of.... Grade 8 fasteners are probably a good idea too, and pay attention to corrosion, it sucks to have a head snap off when trying to remove it....

 

GM had their own form of locking tabs to prevent this from happening.

Bresil bolts and stage 8's are worth their wieght in gold for the $40 they cost.

 

The factory French locks worked pretty good, but I think things are different with cast iron manifolds anyway.

 

They are in a way that cast iron won't go through the same expansion as a thin walled header. However, judging by how hard it was to remove those tabs I would say they work well. Man I hate those tabs.

 

French locks are the reason die grinders were invented.