Headers on aluminum heads

[65inworks]

I am about to put some shorty headers on my edelbrock aluminum heads, do i have to do anything special to the header bolts or just thread them in like usual?, thanks Nick

 

[mustang70]

Make sure you put antiseize on the bolts before screwing them into the heads. And don't forget to retighten them after the first couple of heat cycles.

 

[ratio411]

What he said.

Aluminum has a destructive reaction when paired with ferrous metals (iron, steel).
Spark plugs, exhaust bolts, intake bolts, etc... should all be dressed in hi-temp anti-seize compound to prevent corrosion.

If you want a bolt that will not back out regularly, check Stage 8 locking bolts.
Dave

 

[candy-a-Mach1]

I, too, would have used the anti-seize that I bought specifically for this purpose, had not my Trick Flow instructions been VERY clear:

Put a little bit of motor oil (do not use antiseize!) on the exhaust bolts and tighten them down from the center out to the ends.

Same with the rocker arm studs. They even use and exclamation point. (ooohhhh....)

 

[HistoricMustang]

Anti-seeze is fine. Torque to specs and if they are stainless bolts I would put on my list to check every so often. Get the smallest head possible on the bolts as header bolts are a real pain on Fords.

Have fun!

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com/tech.html

 

[D.Hearne]

I also used antiseeze on the bolts on my Canfield aluminum heads. Works fine, zero problems. I don't know why Trick Flow would suggest oil over antiseeze, unless after the oil burns off, you'd need repair work to fix them

 

[Max Power]

If I am not mistaken, anti-sieze is not necessary on Edelbrock heads because all the bolt holes have steel inserts.

 

[Cavymeister]

Also, If you've got problems with them backing out, Using a drill press, Drill a hole through the head of each of the bolts (sideways NOT straight down the shaft). Then run a wire through the head such that as one tries to back out, it tightens another. It won't even get 1/8 of a turn. Just tighen it up and use a nut and bolt on the end to keep it from slipping back through the bolt.

You'd string the wire fromt the bottom of the bolt up (kinda like _[BOLT]\_[BOLT]\_[BOLT]\_[BOLT]\_... etc).

It's ugly, but VERY effective.

 

[Paul619]

I also used antiseeze on the bolts on my Canfield aluminum heads. Works fine, zero problems. I don't know why Trick Flow would suggest oil over antiseeze, unless after the oil burns off, you'd need repair work to fix them

I had asked the same question about the oil. I got the answer from them saying that the oil will burn off slightly but will you will be able to get acurate tourque that way. they told me to not use the anti seaze because I would have a problem with the bolts backing out

 

[sportsroof69]