Help with header bolts - Locking header Bolts?

Rush

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I have never had headers until now.

Last week I found several loose header bolts on both sides of my engine.

I don't want to have to snug them up every month or check them all of the time.

What about the locking header bolts that you can buy?

Which kind are better? ( Aircraft safety wire type with the hole in the head, or the mushroom type )

Are all of them the same length and same threads for a Mustang GT?

If so, where can I get them for a good price?

Sorry for all of the questions! I just don't know anything about it!
 

MustangChris

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FRPP Stage 8 locking header bolts. i bought some, they look amazing... throwing them in as soon as i get my new vlave cover gasket and motor mounts. lol.


jsut go to ford racing's web page and get the locking header bolts. they are pricey ($70.00) but they are top quality and i paid $70.00 for the peice of mind and the simplicity.
 

fixthedoor

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Rush said:
I have never had headers until now.

Last week I found several loose header bolts on both sides of my engine.

I don't want to have to snug them up every month or check them all of the time.

What about the locking header bolts that you can buy?

Regardless of price they are priceless. Install them and forget about it. I have some holding Ford Racing headers. When I installed them I changed the gasket and applied copper gasket sealer, I have not had an issue for about a year now.


Rush said:
Which kind are better?  ( Aircraft safety wire type with the hole in the head, or the mushroom type )

Not sure. I like the ones I purchased but installing them took some time. These are what I purchased:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?CP=1&part=STG-8953&N=700%200&Ntt=STG~8913%20or%20STG~8913A%20or%20STG~8933%20or%20STG~8953%20or%20STG~8913B&Ntk=KeywordSearch&rsview=sku&Ns=

I loved having the option of using an Allen wrench. With the way my Ford Racing headers are configured, I can only use a socket on about half of the bolts and the others I have to use an open end wrench because the tube gets in the way. Using the wrench is a PITA. With the ability to accept an Allen wrench, I was able to tighten the bolts with an Allen head socket and an Allen wrench with the balls on the ends. No more slipping wrenches and busting nuckles.

Installing the washer and c-clip took a lot of patience. I had to test fit each washer and then grind a bit of the washer to clear the header (The use of 12 point bolts would have made this easier but I did not find any that were stainless steel with an Allen head). I had to use long and slender needle-nose pliers to install the c-clips. Each bolt took countless tries before I was successful. I actually lost two clips on my k-member and have two bolts without clips, which have yet to back out.

Needless to say, this procedure is a lot easier if the heads are out of the car.


Rush said:
Are all of them the same length and same threads for a Mustang GT?

What motor? 5.0 or 4.6? Look on Summit for the info.


Rush said:
If so, where can I get them for a good price?

Sorry for all of the questions!  I just don't know anything about it!

I picked mine up from Summit. You can also pick them up from E-bay. Use a search engine to find other retailers.

Perry
 

LAFENATU

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I use regular header bolts.

I have had to tighten mine once after the first head cycle. They haven't backed out since..

I think I have been lucky though..
 

BlkoutGT

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brad94GT said:
summit has these bolts for 50 bucks

+1
I bought them, and installed them, Its a love-hate relationship, hated putting them in, but love them now. I had the luxury of installing them when I did the head swap, even then it was a pita though! great investment if you dont plan on taking the headers off anytime soon
 
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Rush

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I deceided to order the ARP 400-1105 header bolts. They lock with aircraft safety wire. I used to work on airplanes for US Air, so I think that they will work out fine. With the radical cam in the car, the previous owner said the bolts would never stay tight, due to the vibration, heating, and cooling down.

Thanks for your help!
 

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