# i screwed myself, my header install from hell **URL:** \ **Category:** Shift518 Automotive\ **Created:** [May 7, 2008, 5:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773 "2008-05-07T17:31:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![plaf713](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@plaf713](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/plaf713)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 5:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/1 "2008-05-07T17:31:08Z")
so my camaro has been down and out for a week for my ls6 intake manifold and long tube header install, so i have been taking my time with everything. I also deleted my egr and air emissions crap for a cleaner looking engine bay. I finished up the ls6 intake install without any problems, then i moved onto the long tube headers. The driver side header went straight up in through the bottom which i wasn’t expecting. (if you saw my engine bay you would understand) But anywho, i had all of the bolts in on the driver side, one was being a prick so i slowly turned it in, taking my time so i didn’t cross thread it and BAM, the fucking head of the bolt comes off, so my friend who is a mechanic said no problem he could get it out, but he couldnt, now im going to have to take it somewhere to have the bolt removed. The car wont be out for a while now. ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/2 "2008-05-07T18:16:35Z")
> [@plaf713](#): > > so my camaro has been down and out for a week for my ls6 intake manifold and long tube header install, so i have been taking my time with everything. I also deleted my egr and air emissions crap for a cleaner looking engine bay. I finished up the ls6 intake install without any problems, then i moved onto the long tube headers. The driver side header went straight up in through the bottom which i wasn’t expecting. (if you saw my engine bay you would understand) But anywho, i had all of the bolts in on the driver side, one was being a prick so i slowly turned it in, taking my time so i didn’t cross thread it and BAM, the fucking head of the bolt comes off, so my friend who is a mechanic said no problem he could get it out, but he couldnt, now im going to have to take it somewhere to have the bolt removed. The car wont be out for a while now. why do you think i didnt do longtubes on my car. to much of a headache ---
**Author:** ![JClark](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jclark/32/6309_2.png) [@JClark](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JClark)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/3 "2008-05-07T18:38:47Z")
How much is sticking out? Dont take it somewhere, call a mechanically adept friend and get it out. ---
**Author:** ![Fn\_Skanks](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fn_skanks/32/6308_2.png) [@Fn\_Skanks](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fn_Skanks)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 6:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/4 "2008-05-07T18:42:11Z")
^^^what jesse said :nod how much is exposed, or is it broke off flush? there are fairly easy ways to remove it even if flush. ---
**Author:** ![plaf713](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@plaf713](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/plaf713)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/5 "2008-05-07T18:55:00Z")
its sticking out about a 1/4 of an inch, and i did call my most mechanically adept friend and he couldnt get it out ---
**Author:** ![Fn\_Skanks](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fn_skanks/32/6308_2.png) [@Fn\_Skanks](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fn_Skanks)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/6 "2008-05-07T19:08:43Z")
where do you live? is the cylinder head or the fastener rusty? do you have needlenose vice grips, a handheld torch and some wd-40? if you have the room to use this method, thats how id remove it. soak it in wd-40, heat it up, and let the solvent “cook” into the threads. then hurry and get the vice grips on as tight as possible, and extract it. if you need help one of us should be able to assist i’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![Hooked\_on\_240](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Hooked\_on\_240](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hooked_on_240)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 7:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/7 "2008-05-07T19:13:01Z")
> [@germanmusclecars](#): > > where do you live? > > is the cylinder head or the fastener rusty? > > do you have needlenose vice grips, a handheld torch and some wd-40? > > if you have the room to use this method, thats how id remove it. > > soak it in wd-40, heat it up, and let the solvent “cook” into the threads. then hurry and get the vice grips on as tight as possible, and extract it. > > if you need help one of us should be able to assist i’m sure. or if you can get a drill bit in there, drill out the center ---
**Author:** ![88slowmarro](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/88slowmarro/32/6339_2.png) [@88slowmarro](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/88slowmarro)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/8 "2008-05-07T19:24:04Z")
dont torch the alu head to much if anything torch the head of the bolt till it glows then slowly work the bolt back and forth it should come out if not call p/m see if i can swing ya in the shop and get it done for ya ---
**Author:** ![Johawk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/johawk/32/6284_2.png) [@Johawk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Johawk)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 4:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/9 "2008-05-08T04:51:33Z")
Heat + Aluminum = F\*\*\*ED The best way to do it would be to take the head off so you can get at that pesky bolt. Sometimes the long, expensive, hard way becomes the short, easy, cheap way in the overall picture. Good luck. Hopefully It comes out for ya Studs \> bolts :nod ---
**Author:** ![plaf713](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@plaf713](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/plaf713)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 6:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/10 "2008-05-08T06:14:05Z")
> [@germanmusclecars](#): > > where do you live? > > is the cylinder head or the fastener rusty? > > do you have needlenose vice grips, a handheld torch and some wd-40? > > if you have the room to use this method, thats how id remove it. > > soak it in wd-40, heat it up, and let the solvent “cook” into the threads. then hurry and get the vice grips on as tight as possible, and extract it. > > if you need help one of us should be able to assist i’m sure. i live in schenectady it is not rusty i do have needle nose pliers and a handheld torch the handheld torch doesnt get the hot hot enough, we put it on the head for 5 minutes and i could touch the spot right after i took the torch off ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 6:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/11 "2008-05-08T06:25:42Z")
maybe run the motor for few mins? thats what worked on my exhaust bolts along with a 10ft breaker bar. ---
**Author:** ![SSmokinn\_SS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@SSmokinn\_SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SSmokinn_SS)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 6:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/12 "2008-05-08T06:31:53Z")
this happened on my V6 back before i went turbo and put headers on…I just torqued down all the other bolts a little bit harder…and it never leaked is their enough thread sticking out to make a stud out of the bolt??? Seriously, try torquing down everything and starting the car and maybe take it for a rip and see if it leaks…their are 6 header bolts and sometimes if your lucky, only having 5 of them wont cause a leak. im ordering the OBX long tubes and Y pipe this weekend…cant wait… [http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170216084640&rd=1](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170216084640&rd=1) ---
**Author:** ![K20power](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/41988e/32.png) [@K20power](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/K20power)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 6:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/13 "2008-05-08T06:35:50Z")
> [@SSmokinn SS](#): > > this happened on my V6 back before i went turbo and put headers on…I just torqued down all the other bolts a little bit harder…and it never leaked > > is their enough thread sticking out to make a stud out of the bolt??? Seriously, try torquing down everything and starting the car and maybe take it for a rip and see if it leaks…their are 6 header bolts and sometimes if your lucky, only having 5 of them wont cause a leak. > > im ordering the OBX long tubes and Y pipe this weekend…cant wait… > > [http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170216084640&rd=1](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170216084640&rd=1) dude Andrew…get Edelbrock, it’s what i have on my T/A and what my grandfather has on his C5. Such nice headers, cost a little bit of dough, but really nice. ---
**Author:** ![ninety1two40](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ninety1two40/32/6332_2.png) [@ninety1two40](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ninety1two40)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 6:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/14 "2008-05-08T06:42:45Z")
I had a few studs broken off in my aluminum head and I had to drill the center of the stud and use an easy-out screw extractor with a MAPP gas torch, it worked perfect! Just make sure you drill out the studs in the center. ---
**Author:** ![SSmokinn\_SS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@SSmokinn\_SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SSmokinn_SS)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 6:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/15 "2008-05-08T06:43:38Z")
> [@K20power](#): > > dude Andrew…get Edelbrock, it’s what i have on my T/A and what my grandfather has on his C5. Such nice headers, cost a little bit of dough, but really nice. looked at them…dont like them The ones i posted, the OBX come with the o2 bungs in the Y pipe…no other header company have I seen, has those bungs in the Y pipe…and alot of companies you hafto buy the Y pipe seperate heres a sound clip with the OBX headers…[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5710081792243315797&hl=en](http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5710081792243315797&hl=en) mine will sound very similar to that since it a stock cam/headed z28. ---
**Author:** ![plaf713](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@plaf713](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/plaf713)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 6:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/16 "2008-05-08T06:58:10Z")
don’t get obx headers either, or edelbrock, they both are junk, hooker, kooks, lpp, qtp, american racing headers, even pacesetter make a better header than the both. Also look in tsp longtube headers, cheap and stainless steel ---
**Author:** ![Fn\_Skanks](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fn_skanks/32/6308_2.png) [@Fn\_Skanks](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fn_Skanks)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 6:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/17 "2008-05-08T06:59:16Z")
> [@ninety1two40](#): > > I had a few studs broken off in my aluminum head and I had to drill the center of the stud and use an easy-out screw extractor with a MAPP gas torch, it worked perfect! Just make sure you drill out the studs in the center. yeah, this does work but is a pita to get in there, plus you’ve got to be extra careful this way. you could do more damage than good. “easy-outs” break off quite easily, and you don’t want to drill into an oil galley either. i dunno what kind of torch you have, but my mapp torch makes whatever it touches very hot, very quickly. i think you’d be perfectly fine using it in a controlled manner on aluminum or not. i think its crazy that you recommend removing the head for one exhaust bolt. ---
**Author:** ![votblindub](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/votblindub/32/6280_2.png) [@votblindub](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/votblindub)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 7:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/18 "2008-05-08T07:22:11Z")
> [@SSmokinn SS](#): > > looked at them…dont like them are you going by visual or performance here? cuz if it works great, it shouldnt matter if its all shiny and pretty as long as it helps get u more ponies to the wheel ---
**Author:** ![Cossey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Cossey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Cossey)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 7:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/19 "2008-05-08T07:25:43Z")
OBX… Isn’t that a cheap ricer company? ---
**Author:** ![K20power](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/41988e/32.png) [@K20power](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/K20power)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 7:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773/20 "2008-05-08T07:32:36Z")
> [@Cossey](#): > > OBX… Isn’t that a cheap ricer company? yes… > [@plaf713](#): > > don’t get obx headers either, or edelbrock, they both are junk, hooker, kooks, lpp, qtp, american racing headers, even pacesetter make a better header than the both. Also look in tsp longtube headers, cheap and stainless steel Edelbrock is **not** junk, how do you figure? Pacesetter blows as well as american racing headers. What kind of headers did you just put on your car? [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-screwed-myself-my-header-install-from-hell/236773.md?page=2)