LOCKING header bolts

03REDFIRE

New Member

Apr 3, 2004

252

0

0

LOST

Jan 30, 2006

#1

• Jan 30, 2006

• #1

I have a set of BBK LTs on my 2003 and Im going to put a set of FR shorties on the 94 I am wondering about the bolts these puppies run around $60 bucks has anyone ever had headers bolts back out on them? Is this a worth while expense? I know from peice of mind POV they are but really as far as I know the 03 has standard bolts on it and they are fine.

 

Stangfreak95

add a 4

Founding Member

Nov 4, 2002

3,571

0

0

In your sister. If none, your mom

Jan 30, 2006

#2

• Jan 30, 2006

• #2

Yes imo they're very worthed. You dont want to go mess in there around the headers constantly. I had the stage 8 on my bbk longtubes and they NEVER got loose.

 

8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member

Dec 20, 2004

4,265

12

69

B.C. Canada

Jan 30, 2006

#3

• Jan 30, 2006

• #3

i went to locking header bolts after 3rd gasket swap. wonder why it took me so long.

 

GRGT1994

New Member

Sep 22, 2004

1,034

0

0

Jan 30, 2006

#4

• Jan 30, 2006

• #4

Took me 2 blown gaskets before I got Breslin locking bolts. No issue since.

 

Zero Signal

Active Member

Feb 24, 2003

2,633

2

46

Tucson, AZ

Jan 30, 2006

#5

• Jan 30, 2006

• #5

Why not just use split washers? That's what Grady will tell you all about

 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member

Sep 28, 2003

3,651

4

68

Indianapolis, IN

Jan 30, 2006

#6

• Jan 30, 2006

• #6

Zero Signal said:

Why not just use split washers? That's what Grady will tell you all about

Click to expand...

You can say that again. Thats $50 for your gas tank, the movies, and dinner. I will never buy locking bolts...just aint worth it to me. Get 1" bolts instead of the 3/4" if u can fit them in there.

 

Methodical

15 Year Member

Dec 1, 2003

1,192

11

59

Clinton, MD

Jan 30, 2006

#7

• Jan 30, 2006

• #7

Yeah I only use ARP stainless steel bolts and the split washers. I almost got those locking bolts but decided against it. Just try a set of inexpensive bolts and split washers - if you don't like then change. No problems yet.

Peace
Al

 

GRGT1994

New Member

Sep 22, 2004

1,034

0

0

Jan 31, 2006

#8

• Jan 31, 2006

• #8

nmcgrawj said:

You can say that again. Thats $50 for your gas tank, the movies, and dinner. I will never buy locking bolts...just aint worth it to me. Get 1" bolts instead of the 3/4" if u can fit them in there.

Click to expand...

+1 on the 1" bolts, whether they are locking or not.

In fact, that may be enough by itself. I have one Breslin locking header bolt that I couldnt reach the locking allen nut to get it really tight. So it finally vibrated completely out. Well, it turns out that that bolt was the one that kept backing out when I was using the crappy stock bolts (which are 3/4"). And even without the locking mechanism working that bolt has not backed out after several months. So it's holding better solely on the extra length.

 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member

Sep 28, 2003

3,651

4

68

Indianapolis, IN

Jan 31, 2006

#9

• Jan 31, 2006

• #9

GRGT1994 said:

+1 on the 1" bolts, whether they are locking or not.

In fact, that may be enough by itself. I have one Breslin locking header bolt that I couldnt reach the locking allen nut to get it really tight. So it finally vibrated completely out. Well, it turns out that that bolt was the one that kept backing out when I was using the crappy stock bolts (which are 3/4"). And even without the locking mechanism working that bolt has not backed out after several months. So it's holding better solely on the extra length.

Click to expand...

Yea i only wish the 1" bolts could fit in around these big 1 3/4" primaries. They worked like a charm on the 1 5/8"

 

GRGT1994

New Member

Sep 22, 2004

1,034

0

0

Feb 1, 2006

#10

• Feb 1, 2006

• #10

nmcgrawj said:

Yea i only wish the 1" bolts could fit in around these big 1 3/4" primaries. They worked like a charm on the 1 5/8"

Click to expand...

You can't back the header off the head about a 1/4" and start the 1" bolts?

 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member

Sep 28, 2003

3,651

4

68

Indianapolis, IN

Feb 2, 2006

#11

• Feb 2, 2006

• #11

GRGT1994 said:

You can't back the header off the head about a 1/4" and start the 1" bolts?

Click to expand...

Maybe with more patience...but when i tried last time...it was a pain. Im gonna be getting the arp bolts with the 5/16" hex head. Gotta decide between 3/4" and 1" though.....

 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member

Sep 28, 2003

3,651

4

68

Indianapolis, IN

Feb 2, 2006

#12

• Feb 2, 2006

• #12

WHOOPS DP!

 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

3,133

18

108

Chicagoland

Feb 2, 2006

#13

• Feb 2, 2006

• #13

I would say yes, they're worth it. When I had my Fox, I had some gaskets let loose, so I replaced them using the same bolts, and ended up losing another set of gaskets. I put some lockwashers on, and they helped, but I think there was a slight leak after a little time. I never did check it out since I got rid of that car for my 95, but I'd guess another bolt backed out enough to give me a small leak.

 

5LugFoxFanatic

LOVE AND PEACE!

Founding Member

May 5, 2002

1,058

0

36

Arctic Tundra Hell, Twin Cites, Minnesota, USA

Jun 7, 2006

#14

• Jun 7, 2006

• #14

I am doing a BBK Longtube install on my 86. So if I get this right, get 1 inch long bolts and use lock washers? Taht will keep them from backing out?

 

94-302-vert

Active Member

Aug 16, 2004

1,947

2

36

NE CT

Jun 8, 2006

#15

• Jun 8, 2006

• #15

If you go without locking bolts you need to check them and tighten them often. With locking bolts there is no need to do this.

I went locking bolts because I didn't want to worry about checking them all the time and my commute is 42 miles each way...

 

BlackVert

15 Year Member

Oct 3, 2003

5,589

9

98

Bethesda, MD

Jun 8, 2006

#16

• Jun 8, 2006

• #16

i just had to tighten 2 bolts on my passenger side. it took like 30 seconds.

$60 for bolts is not worth it imo. i'll go with either split washers or locking washers next time.

 

Labora

Founding Member

Jun 11, 2000

1,854

26

69

Dallas, Texas

Jun 8, 2006

#17

• Jun 8, 2006

• #17

I've got normal bolts on mine, after the first 1500 miles they haven't required being tightened again. (I did check them about 3-4 times up too that point)

 

GRGT1994

New Member

Sep 22, 2004

1,034

0

0

Jun 8, 2006

#18

• Jun 8, 2006

• #18

Thread revival means you are using search. Nice.

Locking header bolts are a convenience. If you don't mind paying the premium for convenience, then YES they are definitely worth it. Otherwise, be certain to tighten after 2-4 heat cycles, and maybe once again after another few heat cycles. The longer bolts do help, especially with standard bolts.

 

urban96

bubb rubb says:"woo woooooo"

Founding Member

Sep 24, 2002

3,464

1

69

Syracuse, NY

Jun 8, 2006

#19

• Jun 8, 2006

• #19

make sure you check them after the first few heat cycles!!!

 

SeventyMach1

Keep it lubed .... keep it straight .... and keep

Mar 30, 2005

1,940

3

36

North Carolina

Jun 8, 2006

#20

• Jun 8, 2006

• #20

urban96 said:

make sure you check them after the first few heat cycles!!!

Click to expand...

I use these & have never had a problem. No backing out ....




You can get them in 3/4" or 1". You do not have to keep checking them .... because there's no way for them to back out. The half moon clip won't let them. Just take a glance every now and then to make sure they're still on there (don't see how they'd come off, either. I just check).

 

Attachments

• fms-m-9432-a51.webp

  26 KB · Views: 123