Missing Header Bolt = Engine Noise?

**David Ray** · 05-10-2009, 10:56 AM

I been hearing a tapping noise in my Z28's engine. It goesn't go away at warm-up and increases with acceleration. Today, I tried to isolate the sound and tracked it to the driver's side of the engine. I discovered that the front header bolt was missing on that side. Could this cause the tapping? Can I replace the bolt or does the gasket have to be changed as well?

**JoshieDoom** · 05-10-2009, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by David Ray

I been hearing a tapping noise in my Z28's engine. It goesn't go away at warm-up and increases with acceleration. Today, I tried to isolate the sound and tracked it to the driver's side of the engine. I discovered that the front header bolt was missing on that side. Could this cause the tapping? Can I replace the bolt or does the gasket have to be changed as well?

Gasket is most likely fried from the heat. It wont take long at all to get a set of MLS(metal) gaskets from autozone and a set of locking header bolts installed.

**David Ray** · 05-10-2009, 12:22 PM

What do the bolts have to be torqued to? What are locking header bolts? They have them at A.Z.?

**JoshieDoom** · 05-10-2009, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by David Ray

What do the bolts have to be torqued to? What are locking header bolts? They have them at A.Z.?

Yup. item number sta_8900. They prevent the bolt from backing out.

18 foot lbs

**David Ray** · 05-10-2009, 12:32 PM

What about that copper gasket sealant? Is it any good? Should I change both sides or do I have to 'cause I ain't tried it before and I don't want to screw anything up.

**JoshieDoom** · 05-10-2009, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by David Ray

What about that copper gasket sealant? Is it any good? Should I change both sides or do I have to 'cause I ain't tried it before and I don't want to screw anything up.

The kit will be for both sides. Do it once and right. No sealant is needed

**pajeff02** · 05-10-2009, 12:46 PM

I'd avoid the sealant, as long as your headers have fairly thick flanges you should be fine. Although there is no need to do anything to the other side, it wouldn't be a bad idea to at least install the locking bolts, which means you may as well swap out the gasket too.

**David Ray** · 05-10-2009, 01:18 PM

10-4. Thanks alot.

**DaddySS** · 05-10-2009, 04:42 PM

You might want to prepare yourself for the worst. Very few instances of bolts backing out, more often than not, they are missing because they were cross threaded or stripped. Take your time and as said above - do it once and do it right.

**0rion** · 05-10-2009, 05:54 PM

try to put a bolt back in there first. I bet that'll fix your problem.

**David Ray** · 05-11-2009, 08:38 AM

Do I need to use anything on the threads since the heads are aluminum?

**David Ray** · 05-11-2009, 08:39 AM

I forgot to add that the gaskets now in place are metal. Will that make any difference?

**0rion** · 05-11-2009, 08:53 AM

I didn't use anything on my header bolts but if they're stainless bolts you can put a little antiseize on there if you want too. Check and make sure it's not stripped or something like that and put a bolt in there. Imagine that should take care of it. The stock gaskets are metal and extremely durable.