Exhaust Bbk shorties, 3/4 or 1 inch bolts....

[nickyb]

I'm looking @getting new header bolts( tired of them coming loose) I 've tried some stage8 locking ones( put them on drivers side)but with headers wrapped it a real pita.
pro form has locking ones in 3/4 and 1 inch, just don't if I need the longer ones as the BBK flange is way thick.
What is all you BBK header guys using?

 

[j753303]

i did the 1" with remflex gaskets. never had a problem

 

[WhiteCobra95]

I'm running the 3/4" stage 8's on an SN95 5.0 with BBK unequal shorties for the same reason. My fear with the 1" bolts is that you'll have a hard time getting them through the flange on the inside bends of the primaries. You might want to test it first with a 1" bolt that you have laying around or pick one up at Lowe's or Home Depot first.

One suggestion: new header gaskets shrink. After I put it back together with new gaskets, I heat cycle it several times and re-tighten. Once it seems good after about three drives, then I give the bolts one last twist and put the anti-rotation clips on. This is with Fel-Pro gaskets, if you're using copper gaskets, it will probably not shrink in the same manor.

 

[OldManRiver]

You'll definitely need the 1" if running aluminum heads.

 

[nickyb]

I'm running the 3/4" stage 8's on an SN95 5.0 with BBK unequal shorties for the same reason. My fear with the 1" bolts is that you'll have a hard time getting them through the flange on the inside bends of the primaries. You might want to test it first with a 1" bolt that you have laying around or pick one up at Lowe's or Home Depot first.

One suggestion: new header gaskets shrink. After I put it back together with new gaskets, I heat cycle it several times and re-tighten. Once it seems good after about three drives, then I give the bolts one last twist and put the anti-rotation clips on. This is with Fel-Pro gaskets, if you're using copper gaskets, it will probably not shrink in the same manor.

Just picked up two one inch bolts to check with from oh oh oreilly's.

 

[sd331]

i have BBK with gt40 heads and used ARP 1" bolts..if you put the 3/4 bolts thru the flange theres only like 4 threads showing..to short IMO....the 1" are for better clamping

 

[nickyb]

You'll definitely need the 1" if running aluminum heads.

Not alum. Heads yet. The one inch bolts will work for me, I'll get the pro form self locking ones.
Thanks for the replys guys.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Pretty sure I had 3/4” bolts with my BBK 1515 headers.


I had to go to 1” with the JBA headers (thicker flange) and AL heads.


Ideally you want at least 6 threads into whatever you are threading into. Any less runs an increased risk of stripping threads

 

[foxbodybill89]

ARP studs!!

 

[mikestang63]

throw those Stage 8 bolts in the garbage. Just use Stainless allen head bolts with lock washers. Regarding length, go with what Edelbrock recommends.

 

[Dan02gt]

I use Proform locking header bolts and they work great. I used the 1” with JBA headers and stock heads, but had to go to the 3/4” when I went to AFR heads because the 1” bottomed out.

 

[nickyb]

I use Proform locking header bolts and they work great. I used the 1” with JBA headers and stock heads, but had to go to the 3/4” when I went to AFR heads because the 1” bottomed out.

I just got the pro form 1inch from Amazon , with the BBKheaders thick flange they'll do fine.

 

[Gs1987GT]

I just used the bolts flowtech provided with the 1-3/4" shorties I installed on my 87 a few months ago. I believe they are 1". So far no issues, no leaks, but I do plan on checking them soon to ensure they are still tight.