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harv8
Martyn Harvey
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
(189 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 10:09PM

Main British Car:
MGB Rover V8, TVR Chevy V8, MGB GT Ford V8

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Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: harv8
Date: August 26, 2014 03:10PM

I have hearing a leaky exhaust header recently. Today I found one of my bolts rolling around the engine bay.
I also found several other loose bolts. The bolts are ARP. Engine is Ford 302. Heads are aluminum RHS.
I have tightened them before. I think I have seen this problem discussed on the site, so I will search around. In the meantime...... Is there a fix for this annoying situation?


JWD
Jim Durham
Gig Harbor, Wa.
(103 posts)

Registered:
01/22/2013 11:43AM

Main British Car:
1980 MGB Ford 302 (398.9 HP, 383.2 TQ)

Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: JWD
Date: August 26, 2014 03:17PM

Use Stage 8 header bolts. It's impossible for them to loosen up.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4512 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 26, 2014 04:45PM

Must be that Ford engine. ;)

I had to re-tighten mine a couple of times early on, but haven't touched them in over ten years, I'd guess.
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harv8
Martyn Harvey
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
(189 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 10:09PM

Main British Car:
MGB Rover V8, TVR Chevy V8, MGB GT Ford V8

authors avatar
Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: harv8
Date: August 26, 2014 05:37PM

OK...... Thank you gentlemen! .......and Carl ;)


kstevusa
kelly stevenson
Southern Middle Tennessee
(985 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 09:37AM

Main British Car:
2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT

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Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: kstevusa
Date: August 26, 2014 07:25PM

Martyn, my header bolts (ARP) were loose and re-tightend once. I did use Cat copper (tm) anti-seize on install to assist in removal if needed. Due to tight space, I used a 5" long open/box end 3/8"wrench to do the tightening. They have remained secure since then. Torqued by feel :-)


Merv
Merv Hagen
IL
(104 posts)

Registered:
05/21/2008 05:48PM

Main British Car:
1980 MGB Buick 215 T-5 Trans

Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: Merv
Date: August 26, 2014 08:03PM

Martyn, your engine & mine are both pretty close to the same. This spring when I was putting my engine back in, I replaced my stage 8 header bolts ( I found them a pain to install) with ARP bolts and used internal star lock washers.
I had to re-tighten bolts one or two times after 1st startup, but now after around 2000 miles header bolts are still fine.


ex-tyke
Graham Creswick
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
(1165 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:17AM

Main British Car:
1976 MGB Ford 302

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Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: ex-tyke
Date: August 26, 2014 08:16PM

Quote:
I had to re-tighten bolts one or two times after 1st startup, but now after around 2000 miles header bolts are still fine
....that about sums it up......a couple of re-torques along the way and bolts will eventually tighten.



JWD
Jim Durham
Gig Harbor, Wa.
(103 posts)

Registered:
01/22/2013 11:43AM

Main British Car:
1980 MGB Ford 302 (398.9 HP, 383.2 TQ)

Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: JWD
Date: August 26, 2014 09:23PM

That applies to those that use gaskets. As it compresses, the bolts need to be tightened up. I haven't used a gasket for the exhaust in 40 years, just like almost all OEM applications. A thin coat of hi-temp silicone, tighten them up and never had a leak. I use Stage 8 locks just to be safe.


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6469 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

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Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: August 26, 2014 11:12PM

This is one place where Rovers really do have the advantage. Their multi-layer stainless exhaust gaskets do the job right, and are infinitely reusable. Maybe someone makes them for the ford.

Jim


JWD
Jim Durham
Gig Harbor, Wa.
(103 posts)

Registered:
01/22/2013 11:43AM

Main British Car:
1980 MGB Ford 302 (398.9 HP, 383.2 TQ)

Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: JWD
Date: August 27, 2014 12:42AM

Due to superior machining processes, Ford & GM engines don't use gaskets. Maybe Rover/Bow Wow, should take a lesson from them.


Jim Stabe
Jim Stabe
San Diego, Ca
(829 posts)

Registered:
02/28/2009 10:01AM

Main British Car:
1966 MGB Roadster 350 LT1 Chevy

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Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: Jim Stabe
Date: August 27, 2014 02:11AM

Be careful using silicone if you have O2 sensors in the pipe.
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BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6469 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: August 27, 2014 09:41AM

Oh yes, that's just fine until the manifold warps a bit or the head flange deforms slightly. Seen plenty of that. Bow wow indeed!

The springiness of the stainless sealing bead tends to help keep the bolts from backing out too.

Jim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/27/2014 09:42AM by BlownMGB-V8.


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2463 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: mgb260
Date: August 27, 2014 03:48PM

Have any of you guys used these exhaust gaskets. I've heard good reports on them.

[catalog.remflex.com]


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4512 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 27, 2014 04:29PM

Quote:
OK...... Thank you gentlemen! .......and Carl ;)

Never been accused of being a gentleman. ;)
Carl BADASS V6-V8 2011 TN 026.jpg


harv8
Martyn Harvey
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
(189 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 10:09PM

Main British Car:
MGB Rover V8, TVR Chevy V8, MGB GT Ford V8

authors avatar
Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: harv8
Date: August 28, 2014 01:42AM

nice hat!



Jim Stabe
Jim Stabe
San Diego, Ca
(829 posts)

Registered:
02/28/2009 10:01AM

Main British Car:
1966 MGB Roadster 350 LT1 Chevy

authors avatar
Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: Jim Stabe
Date: August 28, 2014 02:20AM

Quote
Have any of you guys used these exhaust gaskets. I've heard good reports on them.

[catalog.remflex.com]

I just put a set on the headers in my LT1 Chevy install. They completely solved the leakage problem that existed with the solid copper gaskets that were in there previously.They are 1/8" thick and compress to 1/2 that when torqued to 20 ft lbs filling up any irregularities. The company has a money back guarantee. I highly recommend them.


302GT
Larry Shimp

(241 posts)

Registered:
11/17/2007 01:13PM

Main British Car:
1968 MGB GT Ford 302 crate engine

authors avatar
Re: Exhhaust Header bolts
Posted by: 302GT
Date: August 28, 2014 09:27AM

I switched to remflex. I have already removed and replaced the headers with them and have no problems.


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