How much do i torque my crossover-pipe bolts?

[FlaBoy]

In trying to sort out an exhaust leak, I repalced my crossover pipe with a good condition stock piece that i prepped and coated. My question is, how tight should i torque down the bolts? Is there an actual specified value for this, or should I sock em down "pretty tight"? I installed the pipe with the bolts tightened down pretty well, but I still have some leaking from the area, and am wondering if it would be okay to tighten them down some more. I want to avoid bending any flanges or anything by tightening them too much, if thats even possible. Is it possible to OVERtighten them? Thanks for any help you guys can provide.

 

[SPOOLN]

I normally put some high heat rtv around the cups on the cross over and hand tighten. If it leaks then i tighten a little more.

 

[Red Regal T]

Hi Corey.......it's doubtful you'll bend the flanges tightening the bolts. I'd clean up the threads on the header flange and make sure you use new bolts and use anti-seize (silver stuff) on them. That is very helpful when you have to remove them some time in the future.

 

[FlaBoy]

Anyone have a source for new bolts in the right length, diameter, and thread pitch?

 

[Paul Clark]

Avoid tightening one side all the way and then the other.
Go back and forth gradually until both are tight.
One guy on each side working at the same time would be the easy way.