Moparts
Help me get this header bolt out!
Posted By: Ron_M
Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/11/10 08:10 PM
This is the last bolt I need to get out... 440 #2 cylinder. Hooker Super Comps. Tried a crow foot but the head is starting to strip. I do not have a torch. Would rather not destroy it/looking for a clean removal. So far I have tried (1) sliding the header forward (2) Needle nose Vise grips and a crescent wrench, (3)Crow foot, (4) Praying to higher powers including the Blessed Mother of Rapid Acceleration. Suggestions welcome other than dynamite (Had a bad experience with that)
Posted By: jbc426
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/11/10 08:18 PM
Are you trying to save those headers? If not, hacksaw, chisel or dent that thing out of the way.
Posted By: HemiStan
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/11/10 08:20 PM
I would try taking a long punch and denting that header tube in a little bit more so you can slide a narrow box end wrench over the bolt.
Stan
Posted By: Ron_M
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/11/10 08:24 PM
Yes on saving the headers (I need the $$ to rebuild the engine) and I am afraid if I keep nailing that tube, I'll breach it but that is a suggestion I'll keep in mind and might even go try. Thanks!
Posted By: therocks
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/11/10 08:26 PM
Use a 6 point box if you can get it in.I have some that are thinner than regular wrenches.That or try a 14 MM wrench.Its a bit smaller than what looks like a 9/16 head on that bolt.If you have a propane torch heat the bolt real good and melt some wax in there.Thats why I always antisieze my bolts.Rocky
Posted By: StrkrDart69
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/11/10 08:26 PM
Quote:
Are you trying to save those headers? If not, hacksaw, chisel or dent that thing out of the way.
Cut the headers out with a sawzall. With a long blade you should be able to get in close to the flange. Then try a 6 point box wrench and heat.
Posted By: buildanother
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/11/10 08:29 PM
Beefy-quality open end wrench. If that don't work, try sneaking a 12 point thin walled box wrench on it. It that don't work, just knock it around with a nice bity chisel.
I think many here have a drawer full of stuff, stuff like random silly header bolts, that could be spared for you when you trash that one.
Posted By: HemiRick
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/11/10 09:31 PM
This is why you use header bolts....The one you are trying to remove is a regular bolt....
Posted By: NANKET
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/11/10 10:48 PM
If you are going to rebuild the engine, then cut off the bolt head with a die grinder, the header will come off. Then remove the bolt from the head with the head on the work bench. Headers saved.
Posted By: RBSat66
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 12:51 AM
I have used ignition wrenchs before in low clearance situations with pretty good results.
Posted By: 440challenger
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 01:01 AM
propane torch, pb blast and a real good VICE grip and keep working it back and fourth
Posted By: bboogieart
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 01:05 AM
Quote:
propane torch, pb blast and a real good VICE grip and keep working it back and fourth
mapp gas might even be better. Burns much hotter with the oxygen.
Next time maybe header bolts and anti seize.
Posted By: Ron_M
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 01:32 AM
Thanks all for the advice.
FWIW, I didn't bolt this thing together and I am learning the hard (and most likely expensive) way. Again. LOL!
Think I'm gonna buy a cheapie 12 point box and grind it down and use a propane torch. If that fails, I'll cut it with the grinder.
Posted By: Mr.Yuck
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 01:38 AM
1. spray rust buster on it. 2. go to home depot and buy a torch (they are cheap enough) 3. take your wrench and grind it flatter and take some meat off the sides. 4. heat the bolt...spray let it sit. 5. hit it w/ torch again, let it cool and give it a go. Next time use a Moroso long header bolt w/ a 3/8 head.
Posted By: thehemikid
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 01:57 AM
Quote:
Thanks all for the advice.
FWIW, I didn't bolt this thing together and I am learning the hard (and most likely expensive) way. Again. LOL!
Think I'm gonna buy a cheapie 12 point box and grind it down and use a propane torch. If that fails, I'll cut it with the grinder.
...Try your best to break it loose with a 6 point. A 12 point will come in handy after its broke loose. If the corners are rounding you might use a 6 point like this instead. It uses the sides more than the corners.
_1292114715412.png "6351935-#3(PNGImage,123x112pixels)_1292114715412.png")
Posted By: sthemi
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 06:49 AM
A couple of last options,
Make a nice clean cut on the header tube then take it to a muffler shop and have it repaired.
Sawsall / grind the bolt head off.
Leave it on the head, remove the head and unscrew the head from the pipe after it is off.
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 06:56 AM
Quote:
A couple of last options,
Make a nice clean cut on the header tube then take it to a muffler shop and have it repaired.
As hammered as that tube already is I agree cut the tube & have it repaired...
Posted By: DAMOPARS
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 01:44 PM
Don't cut the bolt unless your taking the heads off.
1,Grind a wrench to fit
2,Cut the header tube
Posted By: StukaJU87
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 02:59 PM
Quote:
Thats why I always antisieze my bolts.Rocky
Rocky, can you settle a question for me once and for all please as I will be installing headers on a fresh 440 in the near future?
Do any of the exhaust bolts on stock heads go through to the water jacket? I have heard some say yes and some say no.
If the answer is "yes", how would never sieze keep it from leaking? 
Posted By: FuryUs
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 03:40 PM
I'm not Rocky, but yes the header bolts enter the water jacket.
Posted By: dOrk !
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 04:22 PM
Quote:
\
Think I'm gonna buy a cheapie 12 point box and grind it down
x 100 ....I did that years ago for ... headers and one style of an intake manifold.
Posted By: screamindriver
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 06:18 PM
Quote:
I'm not Rocky, but yes the header bolts enter the water jacket.
...As in ALL of them !!! 
...And{I'm not Rocky either but} I try to use header studs every time I can...That avoids a big hassle...Some say to use RVT sealer on the bolts but if you need to keep tightening them during the initial mating process then they'll leak anyhow..
Posted By: JBurch
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 06:52 PM
Here is my thoughts on this FUBAR; use a 6 point box, ground down thin enough to fit; a 12 point will slip/strip on the hex. PB blaster, a pin punch and a hammer hit the flats of the bolt you can see/get to, the action will wiggle the bolt back and forth, breaking the rust bond, PB blaster some more, try the wrench. You don't have hit the punch with a kill shot, just a solid bump.
Good luck.
Posted By: 3wracing
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 07:37 PM
What about putting the other header bolts back in and running the motor to get some heat in it then try and get the bolt out . Ive had this work in the past . Working with the hot header isnt the greatest buuuut if it works
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 07:40 PM
Quote:
Yes on saving the headers (I need the $$ to rebuild the engine) and I am afraid if I keep nailing that tube, I'll breach it but that is a suggestion I'll keep in mind and might even go try. Thanks!
If you breach the tube you can weld it back up afterwards , getting a box wrench on there is your best bet .
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 07:42 PM
Quote:
Quote:
Thats why I always antisieze my bolts.Rocky
Rocky, can you settle a question for me once and for all please as I will be installing headers on a fresh 440 in the near future?
Do any of the exhaust bolts on stock heads go through to the water jacket? I have heard some say yes and some say no.
If the answer is "yes", how would never sieze keep it from leaking?
Do yourself huge favor and leave in as many studs , all on at least the drivers side , as you can , draining the cooling system to change a gasket or a starter bites .
And as said they are ALL wet .
Posted By: buildanother
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 07:54 PM
It's the second bolt-stud back on each side of engine that the stud won't work on on many mfg headers. The rest get studs in most cases.
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 07:59 PM
Quote:
It's the second bolt-stud back on each side of engine that the stud won't work on on many mfg headers. The rest get studs in most cases.
If you're good you can get a stud in there .
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 08:03 PM
Quote:
Do yourself a huge favor and leave in as many studs
yes the shouldered OE type studs seal the best & I trim the outer fine threaded portion so there's only enough threads left to fit flush when a thin high quality nut is installed. Any more than that is a waste & hampers header fitment. Mock it up/remove/shorten/reinstall(w appropriate sealer on the coarse threads)then install the headers. As said all wet on BB (stock heads),maybe diff on aftermarket and corners (4) wet on a SB
Posted By: StukaJU87
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/12/10 08:48 PM
I have plenty of brand new grade 8 studs. Never thought of shortening the ones that are too long for the header tubes. Thanks for the tip!
Posted By: AARCONV
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/13/10 02:46 AM
sharp chisel and spin it...
Posted By: Mr.Yuck
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/13/10 02:55 AM
Quote:
It's the second bolt-stud back on each side of engine that the stud won't work on on many mfg headers. The rest get studs in most cases.
used every mani stud on these Summit headers and the last set of headmans I had. work like a dream.
Posted By: buildanother
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/13/10 03:00 AM
I was kindof referring to some hooker and tti headers.
Posted By: Mr.Yuck
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/13/10 03:01 AM
Quote:
I was kindof referring to some hooker and tti headers.
expensive an OVER-RATED. I do have a nice set of Hooker Super Comps in the garage thou....
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/13/10 04:07 AM
Quote:
I do have a nice set of Hooker Super Comps in the garage thou.
5205's or 5215's 
Posted By: therocks
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/13/10 12:31 PM
When I ran all bolts on my headers I used silver antisieze.I run it on all 6 vehicles that and do have headers.Ive never had a leak.I run studs on my 440 now except for 2 that have to be bolts.My kids 413 has been together for 8 years with headers and bolts.Never leaks a drop and the bolts come right out.Ive also ran the same on 5 small blocks.Rocky
Posted By: Boosted
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/13/10 04:10 PM
I have Hooker Headers on my car that are old Superstock Headers.. 2" tubes to 3 1/2" collecters. I have studs in every hole on them. I did use some of th eMr. gasket 3514 studs though in the tight areas,, I used thread sealer on all the studs in the heads... I am running aluminum heads and did not want bolts to take in and out as we all know what happes to threads in aluminum heads when useing them to much..
Idid have to hang the header on the studs, start that nut and work my way in with them.. Starter goes on and off without removing the headers...
Good luck with those... I prefer studs as they make it a bit easier to put the headers on as they will hold the studs..
Posted By: Mr.Yuck
Re: Help me get this header bolt out! - 12/13/10 05:27 PM
Quote:
Quote:
I do have a nice set of Hooker Super Comps in the garage thou.
5205's or 5215's
not sure I got them from a budy for $125. was going to use them w/ the new motor but I would of had to do some exhaust work, the old ones have a evac system and they were TIGHT. So I left the Summit's on.