Header Bolts

[Titleist16]

I've got what sounds like an exhaust leak so i'm going to tighten all the header bolts. i bought the 2 piece header bolts from Mike but I'm not sure how to tighten them because I didn't put them on. How do I tighten them? Also, will a normal exhaust gasket work with the Pacemaker header or do I have to buy a special header gasket?

 

[addo]

You need a gasket that matches the port shape of the head - so if it's not a 2V head, then a regular exhaust gasket is fine.

Do you know if the exhaust face of the head was checked or milled flat? That is #1 cause of leaks.

As to the tightening - I assume you mean the split-lock bolts. You first need the correct hex key to fit inside the head and back out the internal grubscrew. Next, release or tighten the external bolt.

If a motor has sprung an exhaust gasket leak, I hate to say but it will probably need a new gasket. Try retorquing and locking, but you will need to do this weekly for a few. When tightening the header bolts, work from the middle ones outward.

Cheers, Adam.

 

[wallaka]

Do you know if the exhaust face of the head was checked or milled flat? That is #1 cause of leaks.

By this he means that a warped surface is the #1 cause of leaks, not the milling process. Get your head milled if possible. I'd say that around 50% of heads I've seen have either a warped manifold or head.

 

[Titleist16]

Yeah it was milled when I had it rebuilt. I'll try tightening it and see what happens if it's still bad I'll put a new gasket.

 

[AzCoupe]

There should have been instructions in the pack the Split locks came in. However, they have the instructions on their website too. http://www.go-breslin.com/text.html

 

[Titleist16]

I just tightened all the bolts and noticed that two of the center hex bolts were missing. Are they effetive without the center hex bolt? Do you have any extra you can sell or do I have to buy a whole new set?