Ok, well i stripped one of the header bolts to the head..... the bolt does not get tight.... I knoticed a slight exaust leak only when i put my foot into it... its only noticable in the cab... its on the drivers side.... I am a little concerned.. Does any one have a solution, and should I be really concerned with this problem? thanks -George.

 

did you try running a tap in it? maybe by some odd chance you just stripped the bolt?

 

no I have not tried that yet..... I just guessed that since the bolt is steal and the head is alumium that is was the head..... I guess i am going to have to buy a tap set ... nvr done it before ...... and I really dont want to take the headers off again lol..... if i just run the truck the way it is will i cause any problems?

 

it wont cause problems, just noise

 

Bad irritating noise.

 

Thanks for your help guys! .... yeah the noise is starting to get irritating.... One more question? when and if I have to do the tap should i replace the gasket or since its only a week old will I be ok? -Thank George

 

go to napa and buy the factory manifold gaskets so you can reuse them, they will also never blow out.

 

Built54 , I have a quick question i picked up a tap. Just wanted to know if i pick up the right size its a 8mm x 1.25 metric.... it looks the same size as the original bolts.... Just wanted to know if you knew the head size and what tap I should use.... Also would it be better if i just used a heli coil? Thanks George

 

Well now i'm not sure on the size, try running it in the threads of a good header bolt hole. you may need a heli coil, im not sure on the extent of the damage.

 

it may be close, but as you said it is metric. When you are using a tap I would think being a Ford it would need to be standard. I have never had to tap anything on my truck so I am not exactly sure. Just make sure you go in 1 turn, back out half and keep doing it that way to get the best threads Also make sure when installing the bolts that if you feel ANY resistance STOP and back it out and retap the hole. This way you avoid crossthreading anything

 

sometimes you have to bite the bullet and have a do over... yes if that leak becomes big enough, and it will... it can cause a burnt valve if you suck up some good cold air back in it on decel., it can cause a lean condition, it can cause a rich condition after the computer starts seeing it.

 

Those header bolts are small and easy to strip. Depending on which cylinder , you may be able to use the stock stud. The stud threads further into the head and you may be able to achieve torque on the stud , then the nut. It might be allot better then what you have now - but it depends on which one is stripped , you may not be able to use a stocker if theres not enough clearance.

Off course re-tapping is allot better..

 

Sorry to resurrect this thread....

I just had the same thing happen tightening one of my header bolts.....

It seems to be stripped inside the head, I can't find the stock bolts I removed 3 years ago when I installed the headers.

Any ideas, I haven't looked yet but will be looking at Heli Coils....Will the header need to be pulled to install the coil....I have had a lot of trouble with these bolts and the steel is crap on them. I replaced a few but this last one I overtightened

Any ideas??

Thanks!

 

Try a longer bolt? i ran into this problem on some 4v heads before.

 

Thanks, I have 2V heads........any ideas on how much longer it needs to be? or how far/deep the threads go into the head? I think my existing bolts are about 1" - 1.25" long

Should I look for a stud and separate bolt?

Would Napa carry a bolt like I need? I don't think O'Reillys will have it.

Thanks!