Header bolt question..

[Pacco]

When replacing the headers, which is preferred? Bolts or studs? Thanks

[CHANMADD]

In most cases the space available is what will determine that. Most times bolts are probably the easiest to use in the given available space.
John

[trctrdrvr]

I prefer bolts, but their still a ***** in a few places, even if you use allen heads

[Pacco]

I removed hex head bolts. Some were very close to the header pipe. I could only use a 7/16 open end wrench since using a socket was impossible. I was thinking that maybe using a stud would make it easier when re-installing the headers. But wasn't sure of the strength/stability of using a stud versus a bolt.

[bobcowan]

A stud is probably a little stronger. Not that you need that additional strength in that area. Either way, you stull have to tighten a hex in a small space.

Pick a special header bolt that has a small 6 sided head. That makes the job a lot easier.

[CHANMADD]

I use the Allen style bolts. I ahve an Allen Wench that I ground the short side shorter and keep it in my glove box. It fits the Headers ,intake,waterpump and accesory mounts on the front of the engine. 1 wrench for most of the bolts.
john

[Michael C Henry]

I used the SS STAGE-8 bolts. They have small 3/8 hex head built in washer surface with a lever like clip that will fit over hex head and come up against the pipe to stop from unscrewing and a snapring keeping everything together. I found that add ing an "A" to the part number and get longer length to take advantage of full thread in heads. I had the Cobrajet heads and have both exhaust bolt patterns and use 14 bolts per head and copper exhaust gaskets.
I still had to safety wire the center two bolts on both heads, because the clip and snapring would not fit

[David Kirkham]

We use the ARP header bolts. The reduced head makes them really nice to put in. The stainless bolts are especially nice.

These are the header bolts for the Big Block Chevy. They work on the FE quite nicely. You can get them from jegs.com or summitracing.com

ARP-100-1102

David

[sllib]

I went with the ARP stainless NASCAR bolts, small head and drilled for safety wire. I got the part numbers from ARP and ordered them from Summit.
Bill Stradtner