Replacement Exhaust Header Bolts - ????

[JeepMonkey]

So When I replaced my manifold w/ a header a few weeks ago I couldn't get two of the bolts back on and tight. I left them off and as you can probably imagine there is an exhaust leak. Not too bad considering, but bad enough that it's throwin the "check engine" light. Anyway, can I get some of the replacement allen head style header bolts? I think I can get them tight since I could actually get an allen wrench socket down there whereas I couldn't get a standard socket to fit. I've used these bolts before on GM motors with headers and they're so much easier to tighten up, but I'm not sure if they're available for the 4.0 Jeep motor. I haven't called Kragen yet, but I figured maybe somebody here had some previous experience. Thanks in advance~!

 

[90Xjay]

So When I replaced my manifold w/ a header a few weeks ago I couldn't get two of the bolts back on and tight. I left them off and as you can probably imagine there is an exhaust leak. Not too bad considering, but bad enough that it's throwin the "check engine" light. Anyway, can I get some of the replacement allen head style header bolts? I think I can get them tight since I could actually get an allen wrench socket down there whereas I couldn't get a standard socket to fit. I've used these bolts before on GM motors with headers and they're so much easier to tighten up, but I'm not sure if they're available for the 4.0 Jeep motor. I haven't called Kragen yet, but I figured maybe somebody here had some previous experience. Thanks in advance~!

If you have a good fastener store around like Fastenal or maybe know where you can get good grade bolts like from Lawson or somewhere, most towns have an industrial supply area where you can get things like that.
Take you old bolts and they will match them up for thread pitch and length and get you one with an allen head on it.
did you save those special washers?

 

[JeepMonkey]

Yeah, I have all the washers except for one. I think one (bolt/washer) wasn't on tight enough and it's somewhere between here and there on the road. :? Kragen said they can order a set from ARP (12 point or Allen Head) so we'll see what's what when I take it apart again. I could reach all but two of the bolts. It was a serious pain just getting what I did tightened.

 

[90Xjay]

Yeah, I have all the washers except for one. I think one (bolt/washer) wasn't on tight enough and it's somewhere between here and there on the road. :? Kragen said they can order a set from ARP (12 point or Allen Head) so we'll see what's what when I take it apart again. I could reach all but two of the bolts. It was a serious pain just getting what I did tightened.

I remember when I did my exhaust manifold on my XJ in my one stall garage in the winter time. I was never so sick and tired of climbing under that thing.
I thought I would never get all of the bolts started again, I think I used every swivel and extension I had in my tool box.
I never want to do one of those again.:x

 

[redrooster]

A standard wrench won't work?
I pulled the manifold off of my old 93 Grand Cherokee to repair the common crack and don't recall it being that much of an issue. I know I used the air ratchet on some of it, the rest was basic hand tools.
With some aftermarket manifolds, you have to insert the bolts in the holes before you stick it up to the motor. Otherwise it is nearly impossible to get the length of the bolt past the bends in the header tubes. Try loosening all the bolts to the point where they are about to come out. Pull the header away from the engine, then install the harder ones. Run them all down a little at a time until they are snug, then you can tighten them.

 

[JeepMonkey]

Yeah, I tried just about every variation of putting them on and this was the best I could manage. It wouldn't have been so hard if the header was one piece. For my year it's actually two seperat pipes and it makes it a lot harder.