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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

AFR heads and header bolt help

  • Thread starter Thread starter SMOKEDYA
  • Start date Start date Nov 4, 2009

SMOKEDYA

20+ Year Stangneter
Jul 13, 2003
3,637
8
79
Tucson AZ
Nov 4, 2009
#1
  • Nov 4, 2009
  • #1
On my AFR heads the dam header bolts loosened off and fell out on 1 port.This happened all of a sudden,so should i run lock washers,or blue or red locktite?I use allen head bolts so they are easier to get to the head of the bolt.peace








john
 

tannerc91gt

This last 25% is foreign territory at this point
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
4,392
2,967
234
Indiana
Nov 4, 2009
#2
  • Nov 4, 2009
  • #2
I used locktite on my shortys, but I'm not sure if the rules change when dealing with aluminum. I'm curious too.

Whoever had my car before me hand tightened all the header bolts and they all loosened= exhaust leak from hell
 

tannerc91gt

This last 25% is foreign territory at this point
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
4,392
2,967
234
Indiana
Nov 4, 2009
#3
  • Nov 4, 2009
  • #3
I have been told that once you've got the headers on and driven it a while your supposed to go back and torque them down again.
 

SMOKEDYA

20+ Year Stangneter
Jul 13, 2003
3,637
8
79
Tucson AZ
Nov 4, 2009
#4
  • Nov 4, 2009
  • #4
i have heard that to about retourqeing them. But i've only put like 50-75 miles on it,so i didnt think they would come loose that soon?I've heard the same also about locktite and alum heads it's a peace


john
 

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Nov 4, 2009
#5
  • Nov 4, 2009
  • #5
just check the tightness of them from time to time
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Nov 4, 2009
#6
  • Nov 4, 2009
  • #6
Sometimes after a gasket change they will loosen up after a warm up. Percy's makes a nice set of header bolts that lock them in.
 

87GT Drop Top

Member
May 1, 2009
500
3
17
South Florida
Nov 4, 2009
#7
  • Nov 4, 2009
  • #7
When you install headers you tighten the up. Then you get the motor hot and retorque them when it's hot. Then you retorque them again after about 40 or 50 miles while hot.
 

Hi-Po

Member
Mar 31, 2005
106
0
16
Oslo, Norway
Nov 4, 2009
#8
  • Nov 4, 2009
  • #8
I will never ever install a set of headers again and not using these.

Stage 8 Locking Fasteners 8913A - Stage 8 Locking Header Bolt Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Some may think its expensive but they work! And can be reused infinitely..

Life is too short to deal with leaking headers.
 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,133
18
108
Chicagoland
Nov 4, 2009
#9
  • Nov 4, 2009
  • #9
I've had luck with using lock washers, in the past. I've also had luck without them though, but I do like the added security they provide, so hopefully I'm not stuck changing header gaskets anytime soon, being that it's a huge PITA.
 
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