loose bolts on CMI
 

Every time I take the boat out the bolts connecting my CMI headers to the heads get loose (some fall out).
The bolts are ARP w/ no washers that came with the CMI.

Should I remove the gaskets and just bolt directly to the head?

Should I change the bolts?.

Should I use lock tight?

Please let me know what is the best way to keep these things tight.

NO you can't take the gasket out and just bolt them to the head. You would have leaks.

Get some new bolts. Those may have stretched. Retighten them after the engine heats up.

Hey Seahawk,

Had the same problem, bought Stage 8 locking header bolts. They have a retaing ring that locks the bolts against the header tubes. You can get the locks on all but two of the bolts. Your local speed shop should be able to get you the bolts with locks.

GOOD LUCK

You MUST retighten until the bolts take a "set". Then they will remain tight.

I re-tightened them and one of the gaskets blew.
maybe it was overtightened

HEY SEAHAWK,

BEEN ALL OVER THIS PROBLEM, TRIED 2 SETS OF BOLTS, LONGER ONES TOO. PROBLEM SOLVED STAGE 8 LOCKING BOLTS. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERTIGHTEN THE END BOLTS ON YOUR CMI'S, IT WILL BENT THE FLANGE AND YOU WILL HAVE A HARD TIME WHEN YOU GET GOOD BOLTS.

thanks dog

Get rid of the bolts and use studs. Studs allow you to use all the threads in the head and have a fine thread nut for better torque.

what Tom said- the studs make it easy to place the headers on without three hands. ARP make a nice stainless set.

Just checked the bolts on the CMI's I recently installed. This was after the third time out. All tight this time. After the first two runs they were all a little loose. Ill probably check after the next run just to make sure.

Ron