Exhaust Bolts

[bucks1605]

I need to replace my exhaust bolts that hold the head pipe to the cylinder, I lost two of the old ones.  Should I go to the stealership and get the replacement bolts, or would it be fine just to go the hardware shop and match the bolt to something there?

[makenzie71]

hardware store.

IIRC it's 8mm 1.5 pitch

[bucks1605]

Thanks a lot. Take that stealership. 

[average]

hardware store.

IIRC it's 8mm 1.5 pitch

Mak, shouldnt he get a certain type? Stanless, galvanized,etc? Wouldnt this matter considering the heat that comes off the headers?

[makenzie71]

grade 8 or better, stainless or carbon (not galvanized).

[ashman]

Dont over tighten them!

-Ash

[bucks1605]

Dont over tighten them!

-Ash

I definitely didn't the last time I installed them, because two fell completely off, and the other two were loose. I'm thinking about getting a torque wrench so I can be sure they are proper tightness.  What do you guys think?

[makenzie71]

seat your gaskets and flanges, hand tighten the nuts, half a turn past that and they should be good.  If you're using new gaskets you should make sure they stay snug.

Torque wrench is best, though....15lbs all about and you're dandy.

[bucks1605]

I did install new gaskets, that could have been the reason they loosened up. They never loosened before. Thanks guys.

[TwinsRFun]

I'm about to put on my V&H full system.  What size allen are these bolts?  I don't have any allens that big and am gonna need to buy but don't wanna waste my money.  Do you guys recomend replacing the manifold gasket while i do this.  98 gs 500e  15,000 miles on her.  Thanks for the input guys.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[7

[dgyver]

I'm about to put on my V&H full system.  What size allen are these bolts?  I don't have any allens that big and am gonna need to buy but don't wanna waste my money.  Do you guys recomend replacing the manifold gasket while i do this.  98 gs 500e  15,000 miles on her.  Thanks for the input guys.

The stock bolts on mine are metric 8 x 40, with a 1.25 pitch, socket flange head, for a 6 mm Allen. If I were replacing them, I wouldn't care what type of head they had- hex head would work fine.

However, I seem to recall that V&H supplied their own bolts in the kit, and that the stock bolts were too short.

Hex head bolts will not work. Not enough room for the socket. You will need to use a SHCS, allen head.

[werase643]

and this is why I have safety wired all the exhaust bolts/nuts, drain bolt, and caliper bolts at a minimum for the last....15 years

[Wrecent_Wryder]

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[The Buddha]

I have put plenty of hex bolts on them. Just get one with a smallish flange.
Cool.
Srinath.

[ben2go]

What about header allen bolts with the D shaped washer and c-clips?  Will they work?  Not hard to make just time consuming as hell. 

[sledge]

Forget bolts and use chrome plated studs and nuts like they used in the old days before cost became an issue.

[ohgood]

anti-seize and a torque wrench.