baxj89

Put a new header on my 89 xj and the bolt in the middle on the bottom will not go in my question is if I leave it out will my xj be subject to blow intake exhaust gaskett or will it be ok with everything torked to spec

OverlandZJ

You will most likely warp the header flange and burn the gasket out in time.

Are the threads damaged? You could try running a tap in to clean them up, or do a Helicoil. I had to do a stud recently that broke during an engine swap.. iirc the thread is 3/8-16.

If it were mine i'd pull it back apart and fix it, vs damaging a new header.

baxj89

Actually the problem is where the header pipe comes out and turns down the boltis too long to fit it hits the pipe thought about getting a shorter bolt and it is a pain in the @#$ to get the bolt in there have to go in from under the jeep

OverlandZJ

Never saw where a bolt was too long, is it the same length as the rest?

I'v done better than a dozen header installs and never had the issue your describing. What brand header are you using?

Can you loosen all the bolts and pull the intake/header away from the head just a bit to get that center bolt in?

baxj89

Its a pacesetter and that's a pretty good idea haven't thought of tha thanks

OverlandZJ

Just make sure your seated on the dowels correctly as you run the bolts back in.

baxj89

Yeah I ve had people tell me to check that sometimes its a pain to get them to seat right