I am planning to install my new header and wanted to a get a feel if I need to order new screws when installing my header. Mini-Madness sells a screw kit for $55. These are reusable because they have a anti-back out feature.

With the numerous header replacements that I have seen here, I just wanted to hear from your opinions.

Thanks,
CARL

 

2day i called a unofficial bmw mechanic to ask him if he could install a obx header for me,

he declined because he was afraid the screws connecting the OEM header would brake off. He said my car was 4 years old (model 2002) and that the risk of the screws breaking of in the cilinderhead was to great....

i conclude that either the guy had never done this kind of work before

or maybe he is right.

anyway i called another mechanic and he said he would do it for 100 bucks. He did not mention anything about screws, but he did say he this kind of work is rarely done for streetcars, but he would give it a go anyway... and he sounded confident enough for me being confident handing over my car to him.

anyway the moral of the story is go to a good mechanic and he will figure out how to do it.

anybody with experience disconnecting OEM header speak up pls...

i am now off to watch the Anderlecht - Ac Milan game.... go anderlecht....

 

Thanks,
My car has been stored during the winters and has not seen salt. Will I have problems with the screws breaking off?

 

you may... i've heard of it . if it can sit a few days you may want to spray penatrant on them every now and then over the period. may help may not but better than nothing header bolts are tough to get out after a while. if they seem really stuborn stop there and apply heat . map gas may be enough. but you gotta leave it on a while . may seam backward but put it on the bolt not the head. light tap first to shock the bolt . ...luck man.

 

btw cute kid ....he's got your glasses .

 

I would say GET THEM! My header bolts backed out and stripped the threads on the head. It was a pain, but a friend mechanic fixed them for me...ended up costing me way more than it should have though. Spend the $55 right off the bat to save you from that!

 

New gasket and bolts...

 

most def new stuff. the old bolts will be trash . just hope they come out without a big fuss. i did mine this summer . it's an o4 . had no trouble . use ANTISEIZE!!!!! on the new ones.

 

It's best to use new fasteners with some silver or copper anti-seize and also a new header gasket. The serrations on the header bolts are intended for one-time use only, though you can re-use them in a pinch.

 

my MCS is an 03 and I installed a header last year and the bolts backed out and i reused them. No problems so far.