locking header bolts for big blocks....

[dlotz]

Originally Posted by RICK LAKE

dlotz D any chance of getting a first name? I have used allen head bolts with safety wire on them and have had not problems. This is for all motors. I also use any sieze on the bolts. The 2 inside bolts on the first and last tube get hex bolts that are also wired. You can wire above or below depending on the look you want to see. Pliers, wire and drill plate to drill each bolt. You also have to remember that running an aluminum head there is alot of expansion and contraction with a heat cycle. It is easy for the bolts to come loose. I tryed studs in the heads and nuts with scrated backs. They chewed up the header flanges and the nuts came loose after each heat cycle. I use cotter pins to keep the nuts from falling off the motor. Some guys have good luck with LOC-TITE hi temp hi strength. You may need to customize a wrench to get the inner bolts torqued to spec. Rick L. Ps what every way you go, DON'T install the bolts without a antiseize if the heads are aluminum. I would do this with steel too.

Rick
I have origional Irton MR heads, and yes I applied antiseize. I too have a mixture of bolts. The lower bolts are shorter that the ARP stainless ones I used on top because they bottom out unlike the top bolts.

I am thinking I will go with the safety wire look.

Does anyone have any pictures of the origionals with safety wire?