Bolt and gasket recommendations

[blaze_away]

What's the latest regarding what to use and what not to use regarding

1. Which Head Gaskets
2. Which Head Bolts
3 Which Exhaust Gaskets
4. Which Exhaust Bolts

If its relevant it is 4.6 top hatted, cross bolted, pocketed pistons, stealth cam, vernier timing gear, custom SS exhaust manifolds

[Dougal9887]

FWIW I've used a 40thou Cometic gasket with ARP studs and nuts torqued to 70 lbs/ft (10.8:1 comp ratio). Exhaust gasket from TVR parts TVR S0091 X and a kit of stainless bolts off eBay. Working fine so far
Dougal.

[phazed]

Ditto but steel bolts, grip better imho plus some natty tab washers on the rear two cylinders.

[indigochim]

That looks similar to the manifolds I have. I found that the tubing was too close to some of the bolt heads and didn't allow enough space for sockets/spanner access. I've acquired some of these to allow better access as the heads are smaller.

[blaze_away]

indigochim said:

That looks similar to the manifolds I have. I found that the tubing was too close to some of the bolt heads and didn't allow enough space for sockets/spanner access. I've acquired some of these to allow better access as the heads are smaller.

I have same issue as you in that the manifolds are really close to the bolt heads making it really hard to get anything on them other than an open ended spanner. I am considering taking the heads off so I can work on the manifold bolts on the bench. Bit extreme but I really dont see a better option.

[Sardonicus]

7/16AF head spanner size ....

Edited by Sardonicus on Tuesday 25th June 23:17

[blaze_away]

Sardonicus said:

7/16AF head spanner size ....

They look cool Simon what are they ?

[Sardonicus]

Spectre header bolts 3/8 unc same as RV8 fortunately a popular size with pukka yank iron motors from Summit Racing in the states IIRC they deal with the UK no problem , bit fiddly on the rear 4 cyl's I did but to be truthful on cyl's 7 & 8 wired will do

Edited by Sardonicus on Tuesday 25th June 23:20

[900T-R]

ARP or John Eales head stud kit, Elring head gasket, ARP exhaust manifold bolts (I have Nordlocks and no reason for complaints so far but there are reports of the bolts not 'biting' into them as the angles are wrong, you decide) and ACT exhaust gaskets for me

Edited by 900T-R on Wednesday 26th June 16:59

[phazed]

I used these tab washers I found by accident a couple of years ago.

I used them on the rear cylinders only. Absolutely perfect fit!

[Belle427]

I understand Loctite will hinder disassembly but is there any other reason we dont use it?

[phazed]

The bolts are hard enough to undo one flat at a time let alone tease them out their entire length!

[Sardonicus]

As per 900T Elring head gaskets and ARP head studs on anything other than severe modified builds , the V8D non yield/stretch head bolts look a good alternative too

[motul1974]

phazed said:

I used these tab washers I found by accident a couple of years ago.

I used them on the rear cylinders only. Absolutely perfect fit!

I like it. This looks like the best example of KISS theory!

[Sardonicus]

I looked at lots of solutions before adopting mine TBH these are all fiddly inc my own but .......... solutions none the less ............ ...

Edited by Sardonicus on Wednesday 26th June 14:13