ssbowtie1

I found a set of bolts from Mcmaster that would work well for headers and are cheap (~8 + s/h for a pack of 25). The only thing is that they are steel. I've heard that using steel screws in aluminum sometimes cause corrosion problems. Do people use just steel bolts or do they have to be of another material to work in our alum heads?

joeSS97

The only problem is that the heads of the bolts will rust very fast.Get some stainless bolts...The threads get a good coat of anti-sieze so that isnt a problem.

ssbowtie1

I just called my local hardware supplier and they have stainless steel allen head bolts. Has anyone used allen head bolts for their headers? Seems like it would make installation a breeze.

speed_demon24

Make sure you get grade 8. I would just spend the $35 on ARP's if it was me.

Pontiac_97

never used steel so idk. i just bought some ARP 3/8 bolts from summit. $20 bucks for 12. its not that hard to put the bolts in anyways.

2000GTP

They are going to rust, that is about it. I am using steel bolts, nothing pretty to look at when they are rusted alongside coated headers. At least if you went stainless, they won't rust and if you took it a step further and got the locking version, you wouldn't have to worry about them backing out either.

ssbowtie1

Why do the bolts have to be grade 8? They're just header bolts.

BTC

There are some stainless Breslin bolts floating around on EBay if you're interested, but they aren't cheap.

1989TransAm

Here is a link to some of the Breslin style header bolts. I have found I like this style the best.

http://www.route66supply.com/store/page53.html

ssbowtie1

Just FYI...these are all out of stock.

BTC

Search for Breslin on EBay. I think Boese Engineering has some of both the steel and stainless bolts if that's what you're interested in. I don't think the stainless bolts have Breslin in the tag line, so you would probably have to search their store to find them. They may only be available for big blocks, which means you'll get 16 bolts instead of 12. I would recommend the 1" bolts over the 3/4".

ssbowtie1

Yup that's what I did. Just wanted to let everyone know about the route 66 site so they don't waste time trying to get some from there.

I haven't decided if I want to spend ~85 shipped for the bolts, but I think I'm just going to do it. Its still ~50 more than arp stainless steel bolts but everyone praises them and I absolutely HATE header leaks!

truedualws6

Percy's acquired Breslin a while back so check with them regarding availability.

Not cheap, but a nice product.

>>Percy's Split Lock Fasteners<<

ssbowtie1

I just got a set of Breslins off ebay. 12 pack 1" long stainless steel for $65 shipped.

I cannot stand exhaust leaks and if this will give me a higher chance of having header bolts backing out, then I'm all for spending the extra 20 bucks.

A member here recommended soaking the felpro gaskets in warm water for 10 minutes prior to installation. He said he used this method and has not had any leaks in years.

Has anyone tried doing this?

Also, do you guys with Breslins use washers when installing the bolts?

BTC

I didn't use washers. Who did you get the bolts from? Just out of curiosity, what was the part number?