Recently got new ceramic coated headers. Decided that I didn't want to look at rusty header bolts anymore, and didn't want to spend 1/2 hour tightening the last bolt on the passenger side. Figured I'd get some stainless 12 pt ones from ARP. They were much easier to tighten than regular 6 pt heads, except for the fourth one on each side. I can't get a closed end wrench or a socket on them because the primary turns to close to the bolt head. How the hell do you tighten it down then? I can't use an open end wrench from teh side because its a 12 pt.

Surely I'm not the only one with 5 12 pt bolts, and one 6 pt on each header???

 

You could grind down a 12 point box end wrench to make a 12 point open end wrench.

 

Or grind down a 3/8ths socket so it has a really thin wall where it hits the headers.

 

Capscrews are the only way to go. I will never use bolts again on headers...

 

You mean some kind of socket head.

 

Sorry yes, socket head cap screws.

 

That's what I'm using.

 

I have had the same problem no mater what style bolt is in that location. I took a flat screw driver between the head of bolt and tube and CAREFULLY wiggled it down through there until a wrench would fit, And yes I have a few ground down wrenches also.

 

I regularly use a combination of bolts and "cap screws" (allen-head bolts) on my various header installs. Sometimes it's easier to get a socket on, sometimes it's easier to get a wrench on, sometimes it's easier to shove an allen wrench in the end of it. All depends on the circumstances for any given bolt location.

 

I start by putting all the bolts only a couple of turns & move the header foward or back to gain access to the most difficult bolt heads. Some of the tubes would block direct access with an allen wrench, so I use 12 point bolts & a 3/8" combo wrench.

 

Thanks for all the input. Didn't think I'd get this many replies.

Yeah, I thought about grinding down a boxed end wrench, but am not even sure if its worth the effort.

I have tons of socket cap screws laying around, never thought of using them.

Question: Right now I have the 12 pt ARP stainless screws. Am I wrong to assume that just because they are made by ARP that they are any stronger than regular stainless steel?

 

They might be stronger, but what difference does it make?

 

Yeah, especially if they are going into an aluminum head. The main advantage is it's harder to round of the head of the bolt.

 

Mainly because I've broken off , and rounded off my share of factory header bolts before, and it should be easier to round off corners, etc... if they are made of a softer material. Stainless steel isn't exactly the strongest thing out there.

They sure are nice to look at though....

 

I rounded the heads of my hedman bolts. They were that porous metal that just feels cheap. Rusted in a few days as well. I got 3/8" thread 3/4" length stainless steel allen head bolts for $1.25 a piece, so at $15 and no shipping fees its definitely the best deal in my book. I'm actually working on a way to cut my allen wrench down about 1/2" on the shorter side so it clears the bend in the primaries. Then we're talking 5 minute header installs.

 

firebirdjosh, did you get the email I sent earlier this afternoon?

 

Nope, I don't see it, want to try PMing me?

 

Thats odd. Anyway, I just sent you a PM...