Last header bolt - won't go on correctly.

[Mad Max]

I am in the middle of finishing a heads/cam on my 98 SS. I bought FLP's and they went on fine on the drivers side. The probem I am hiving is the header bolt (the last one towards the firewall), will not go on straight! It did not strip out, but every time it catches, it is offset and not ligned up correctly. Any ideas??

[jrp]

are the other bolts tightened up? if so i'd loosen them a bet to alow the header to move around and then try and get the bolt in. thats what i do and i never have any problems.

[Mad Max]

Tried that - but I will try it again. It went on or felt like it was threading, but when you looked at it, you could see it was not straight, and I pulled it back out. I messed with it for a long time and it just never seemed to want to line up?? The rest went on fine.

[jrp]

a buddy had the same thing when installing some slp headers :dunno:. are they new bolts or reused?

[PC PaiN]

Keep the other header bolts loose while you try to get that last bolt in. If it keeps crossthreading DO NOT force it in.

I had the same problem on a SLP header install I did for a customer.

If keeping the other bolts loose while you try to get that one in doesn't work then you'll need to try these two things:

Go get some Brake cleaner. Spray it in the hole and let it set for a bit. Go back and blow it out really good with some compressed air or something. If that still doesn't work then you'll need to go on and do the next thing which is:

Go buy yourself a 8MM tap. They are like 3$. You'll need to retap that hole to clean out the crap and what not in it. Be sure to try to keep a lube on the tap, like WD40 or something.

On that SLP header install I did I had to tap just about every header bolt hole to get them to go in. The last bolt still gave me alittle resistance but nothing bad.

[bRa_DeN]

mine did the same thing, it just took us some manuvering and a little patience:D

[Mad Max]

BlackWS602 - yeah, I have a friend who has all the stuff to tap it. But its in such a tough place to get to. I did try to loosen all the other bolts and wiggle the header, but the same thing, every time it feels like it threads, it is slightly off center!! :mad:
I am taking a break from it before trying to tackle it again :2guns:

[JandJsTA]

As a last resort......It may not be out of the question that you may have to over size the hole on the header flange ever so slightly to get the bolt to line up. I have heard of other FLP owners doing this to get the last bolt in..... just be careful to enlarge just enough to line up :)

[Mad Max]

Guess what. My wife brought out a little mirror, we put it down there and it appears the hole is ever so slightly offset. Looks like I gotta find someone with a angled drill and get a grinding bit.

[DarkPhoenix]

Whatever you do be very careful. I broke off a header bolt when I installed my Kook's headers. Fortunately it is the first hole on the passenger side and not the one all the way in the back. Just be very careful, it is a pain to have to deal with it. Good Luck! :cool:

[Mad Max]

It threads about 3 whole turns and you can see it off - so I backed it out. Appears I may have to take the rest out and start in the back maybe too. Its always something. Or should I say Murphys law.

[killer01ws6]

Originally posted by Mad Max
It threads about 3 whole turns and you can see it off - so I backed it out. Appears I may have to take the rest out and start in the back maybe too. Its always something. Or should I say Murphys law.

That is what I was going to suggest...
It is a pain, but to start over with that hole first may be your best bet.

[PC PaiN]

if it still does it, you'll need to tap the holes. I would just go ahead and tap it IMHO