Installing Headers Soon

[huskyfan23]

Hey, putting my headers on probably starting (hopefully ending) Friday evening. Got all the Snap-Ons and impacts, just gotta get the will-power. Is it recommended that I wrap these? I don't want anything overheating or melting. The cheapest install price I found is $440, so this will be a project done by me and someone else. Any tips or hints for when I get to the big day? Also, is there a specific torque I need to tighten the bolts to? They're locking bolts.

 

[Alec]

Use lock washers when connecting the headers to the collecting pipes.

 

[xcelratr]

Do not wrap them unless the header manufacturer says it's OK, which very few do. The wraps are cool for lowering temps in the engine bay, but they trap the heat in the header, which makes the header much hotter than it was ever supposed to be. Warped flanges, cracked welds and brittle tubes are typically the result.

Also, the wraps have a tendency to trap moisture against the header tube, which promotes corrosion.

If you want to minimize heat in the engine bay, JetHot or similar ceramic coating is the only flaw free way of doing it. Of course the $ involved can be a flaw...

Torque spec should in the instructions. If not, contact the header mfg and ask them.

 

[james t]

take it from me... PLEASE DONT WRAP THEM!!! i learned this the hard way (in high school, back when i knew everything). if you wrap them, they will last 2 years max.