Just installed JBA headers

jday4 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 08:55 AM

Boy that was a lot of fun!! (sarcasm). Bomber gave a pretty good description of the install. The bolts that are on the drivers side especially under the motor mount girdle are nearly impossible to get to. The best method I found was to use a wobble extension, it was too tight for me to get a universal into that tiny freakin hole. So those of you who are thinking about it, a wobble extension is cheap and well worth it. I would also say a 14mm ratchet wrench will save you a lot, I mean a lot of time. I was able to tighten all the drivers side bolts from the top with the ratchet wrench and the install was quick and easy, just getting them off is the problem.

As for performance, I did notice my truck not shifting down as much on interstate. I live in West Virginia, and definetly noticed a difference pulling the hills. It also feels like the truck has gotten rid of that little sluggish point in the RPM range. It just gets up into the higher RPM's a little faster.

One more question, I know everyone says you have to retighten the header bolts, should I wait for a leak or just in a week or so retighten?

Thanks,

Jeremy

zebra1550 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 09:49 AM

I re-checked my bolts about two weeks later and all were still tight. I haven't had any problems with leaking.

bbarada · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 11:45 AM

I also rechecked my bolts after about 600 miles. None loose. I definitely feel the improvement in performance after about 500 miles.

Dude Boy · #4 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 01:25 PM

Mine were loose everytime that I checked them for about 1/2 a dozen times. I used the JBA gaskets. Also check the flange bolts at the outlet to the cats. If you wait till you hear a leak, you may ruin the gaskets.

zebra1550 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dude Boy
Mine were loose everytime that I checked them for about 1/2 a dozen times. I used the JBA gaskets. Also check the flange bolts at the outlet to the cats. If you wait till you hear a leak, you may ruin the gaskets.

I used the stock metal compression gaskets and the stock bolts. Maybe that makes the difference in the bolts loosening up?

jday4 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 11:17 PM

Okay, I have noticed a leak somewhere. It is not at the headers, but I believe it may be where I unbolted the the cats, not sure. I just noticed it today, so I will be doing some more crawling underneath to figure out exactly where it is coming from. I know it is from underneath the truck.

I too used the stock studs coming from the engine block. However, I did get new nuts from the toyota dealer. The nuts looked like they were self locking and I was afraid after taking them off and putting them back on they may not work as well, I guess I was just being a little anal but that's not job I feel like repeating anytime soon, and felt like wasting 27 bucks at Toyota for 16 little nuts.

Thanks for all the info,

jeremy

Dude Boy · #7 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 12:41 AM

Quote:

I used the stock metal compression gaskets and the stock bolts. Maybe that makes the difference in the bolts loosening up?

If you use the stock metal gaskets, you shouldn't have to retorque. I didn't use them on mine because the headers weren't very flat and I was afraid they wouldn't seal. If you use the aftermarket header pipe gaskets (from JBA kit) rather than genuine Toyota, you should recheck those because they can loosen up a lot when they take a set.