so I didnt put the idler arm back on before putting in the passenger side headers. Now the bolt it to long to put in because the header is in the way. Thought about reversing the bolt, but its still to long. Then I thought about getting some thick ass washers to make the bolt not to long, prob take 2 and still have plenty of threads. But then I figured it prob die in a car crash. GRRR.. now I have to loosen the header to get the bolt in.
Washers aren't going to cause a problem with bolt strength. I've used washers under nuts that hold ball joints.
Something has changed. I believe you have Hooker 6901 headers, correct? I have 6901s and do not have any problem removing and reinstalling my idler arm.
the bolt hole lines up right with one of the tubes. The bolt it two long and hits the tube when put in from the outside inward. This is the top bolt.
What I meant to write is perhaps Hooker has modified their 6901s in an effort to make them just as ill fitting on an additional application. Both bolts on my Comet's idler arm extend as-far-as the top of the nuts. It has been a while since I first installed these headers. I may have used shorter bolts. The space between the tip of the top bolt and the header tube is about 1/2 inch. When the headers are cool the idler arm is easily installed and removed w/o loosening or removing the header.
Cut the excess length off the bolts. Make sure to run a nut down the threads before cutting it, file the threads at the end after cutting it and then remove the nut. Doing this makes it much easier to start the nut once installed.
