Thread sealant on header bolts?

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Truck82

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Just wanted to know what y’all do when installing headers.
Thread sealant on bolts or not?
I’ve heard both yes and know and want your opinion and experience.
Thank you all in advance!
 

Truck82

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seal 'em from what?

Ive put grease or anti seize on 'em to keep from rusting stuck and breakin' off when removal time comes
I thought they might be connected with an oil passage? Maybe I’m stupid but a bolt on the back side of my manifold is leaking oil. I’m swapping the stock manifolds out for long tube headers and didn’t want any more leaks
 

Bennyt

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Always anti-seize on the bolts.

Ways to keep them tight:
Frequent retorque
Bolts that have cam locks
Washers with fold over tabs
Drill the bolt heads and use lock wire

Do not use lock washers!
 

PrairieDrifter

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Valve cover leak or someone ram rodded too long of a bolt in possibly, but I doubt that would hit oil.
 

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Valve cover leak or someone ram rodded too long of a bolt in possibly, but I doubt that would hit oil.
I just replaced the valve covers and gasket so I think I can rule that one out. Could still be possible. It’s happened to me before.
 

PrairieDrifter

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I just replaced the valve covers and gasket so I think I can rule that one out. Could still be possible. It’s happened to me before.
Shouldn't be intake or oil press sending unit. Those usually run on the bottom surface of the head. Either residual or valve cover.
 

scrap--metal

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I just replaced the valve covers and gasket so I think I can rule that one out. Could still be possible. It’s happened to me before.
If your valve covers are beat up with a deformed edge, they'll still leak after replacing the gaskets. Just something to consider.
 

Fastduramax

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I highly recommend studs, ARP makes the best kits I did stainless on the 572, and yes liberal Permatex anti seize or as I used ARP torque lube…
 

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I just replaced the valve covers and gasket so I think I can rule that one out. Could still be possible. It’s happened to me before.
What valve covers did you use,pic. Yes I'm serious.
 

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