Exhaust manifold - nuts keep loosening.

[BillGrissom]

Any ideas how to better secure the nuts on my 383 exhaust manifold? The passenger side one started leaking recently. I have seen special bolts (12-point?) with retainers, usually for small-block Chevy, but it would be hard and risky to try removing the exiting studs in my head. I am thinking a tab under each nut that you bend to secure the nut or stainless lock wire.

I have had this problem about every 30,000 miles since I owned the car, usually the passenger side. When I last installed the manifold on rebuilt heads 10 years ago, I used lock washers (standard cut ring type), but no luck. As soon as I heard puffing, I tightened a few loose nuts, but the gasket was already damaged. The noise isn't bad, so time to ponder an ideal fix. Anything off the shelf or any "roll-your-own" solutions.

 

[commando1]

Early 70's to late 80's Ford SB's used a special locking washer and bolt design. Ford still offers these exhaust manifold bolts new. These will work.

 

[BillGrissom]

Thanks commando1. Maybe next time the heads are off, I'll switch from studs to bolts.

Today I found that one nut on the exhaust manifold is missing, probably from jerking the exhaust around when I replaced the muffler a few months ago. So the puffing probably wasn't from the manifold-head gasket, even though a few nuts were loose. I'll find out when I drive tomorrow.

 

[65chrys300]

They might be able to help...
http://www.stage8.com/

 

[livininharrow]

Any ideas how to better secure the nuts on my 383 exhaust manifold? The passenger side one started leaking recently. I have seen special bolts (12-point?) with retainers, usually for small-block Chevy, but it would be hard and risky to try removing the exiting studs in my head. I am thinking a tab under each nut that you bend to secure the nut or stainless lock wire.

I have had this problem about every 30,000 miles since I owned the car, usually the passenger side. When I last installed the manifold on rebuilt heads 10 years ago, I used lock washers (standard cut ring type), but no luck. As soon as I heard puffing, I tightened a few loose nuts, but the gasket was already damaged. The noise isn't bad, so time to ponder an ideal fix. Anything off the shelf or any "roll-your-own" solutions.

tighten them up every ten thousand. problem solved.

 

[70NPORT]

They might be able to help...
http://www.stage8.com/

Good luck with this?? I have same problem as well: 383/pass side/rear nut.....will NEVER stay quiet long.

 

[bluefury361]

Any ideas how to better secure the nuts on my 383 exhaust manifold?

RED locktite........