Header To Y Pipe Collectors Problem

[derekbitt]

1998 K1500- I Have Headers On My Truck Back To The Stock Y-pipe And The Collector At The Bottom Comes Loose After About 5k Miles, The Bolts Basically Get Loose And I Begin To Here Exhust Leaks That Get Worse. I Have Tried A Couple Different Things To Stop This But They Dont Seem To Work .
Any Had The Same Experience And Cured The Problem?
Thanks In Advance
Db

[fuzzypuppy]

You didn't mention the things you tried.
I guess you have shorty headers since thats all I can think of that would fit with the stock y-pipe.
I have the same type headers and the only problem I had was the flanges not quite meeting up right at the y-pipe. I used the bolts to pull them together.
I would think lock washers would work, mine did, and if that didn't work double nut them, " After you get the nut and bolt tight add a second nut and tighten it against the first, meaning put a skinny wrench on the first nut as a backup and thighten the second against the first".
good luck

[sub006]

Double-nutting took care of five of my collector bolts, but one resisted all conventional weapons.

I wanted to safety-wire it but was told it was in an almost impossible location (too close to frame or block). Finally had the muffler man tack weld it lightly! So far, so good.