I just got my ARH headers but won't be able to install them for a while, in the meantime I want to make sure I do this right so I never have to do it again.

I have two options, I'd like to go with ARP bolts, but I don't know which ones I need specifically for my truck/engine.....so if someone could help me with that I'd buy those. (2005 Ram 2500 5.7L) but mainly I'm wondering if anti-seize should be applied to the bolts or not.

I know SS on SS tends to bind up and get destroyed, but what about SS on aluminum heads?


I only want to do this once, and I want to do it very right the first time.
Which bolts should I go with? should I use anti-seize on them or not? if not, why? personal experiences?

 

Don't bother with anti-seize, it'll get baked out of there the first time you run the engine for more than five minutes. Various companies *should* offer bolt kits specifically for your engine. (which includes such things as longer bolts and spacers for any accessories that also use those bolts.) The biggest thing is, use GOOD gaskets. I am a big fan of the dead-soft copper, or aluminum fellers from Remflex. Make sure the bolt holes are clean, torque 'em down once, and forget about it.

 

The headers included gaskets but I'm not sure what kind tbh.
I'll look up Ramflex again though,

 

If you can get locking bolts, get those. They have a tab you instal once you torque it down. They are common for Chebbies. I don't know about Dodge and Ram trucks.