Anyone ever use allen-head header bolts?

Mine are 7/16 hex, and I can get exactly 3/4 of a flat per try. So I have to rotate the wrench twice for each flat.

I can see how the 3/8 would give you more room to work. I would like to get my ratcheting wrenches to work on it, and make this a quick job!

 

the retcheting wrenches wont fit on the 3/8 head. the wrench is too thick.

 

You will like the 3/8 lots more. Someday I am gonna invent header velcro.

 

Header velcro!!!

I LOVE it!

 

They have reg and stainless. Is there a benefit to getting the stainless ones?

Or would it be softer than the hardened black ones?

 

I have had the black ARP's for about a bazillion years. Used to have problems all the times with header bolts, only once or twice since the ARP's, and I think those minor problems have been operator error.

 

My local O'Reilly says they can order ARP, but have Mr. Gasket .750 3/8" header bolts in stock. I will check it out when I pick up my new trans-pan gasket this afternoon.

 

ive always used the mr gasket 3/8th headed ones.

 

I don't know how I ended up with these crappy 7/16" ones. And they are soft metal, and the corners round off too easily.

 

the stainless just gives you a shiny look. headers usualy come with 7/16 headed bolts, and yes they almost aways end up with rounded edges. those mr gasket bolts should work just fine. the thing i like about arp is that they do seem to be harder and they have a nice bevel on the edges that makes it a bit easyer to get the wrench on. also they used "rolled" threads that have alot less chance of messing up the threads in the head. when you have installed lots of headers in different cars then you really start to see the little things that make the difference install ease.

 

The mr gaskets at O'Reilly ended up being 3/8-16, with the 7/16 head. Not the 3/8 head.

So ordering from ARP.

O'Reilly cannot figure out how to order them, though. When I give them the part number 100-1102 they say all they get it carb parts.

How do I tell them to order these?

 

Go online and order them from Summitt or Jegs. They usually ship out by next day.

 

yep goto summit or jegs. also order some coper header and collector gaskets. they will seal alot beter and are reuseable.

 

I already have copper header and collector gaskets (work pretty nicely, by the way). I cannot justify ordering from JEGS or Summit with their $10 "handling" charge on $18 bolts.

O'Reilly can get them without charging me for shipping, and I get them in 2 days. I just need to teach them how to order them, what to ask for.

 

I ordered mine from a performance shop (that is, a 'garage', not just a speed shop, though speed was their business ). No shipping there either.