Are there any fairly inexpensive ways of stabilizing the engine so that it doesn't shake every bolt on the car loose?

 

Hi Rick,

The bottom most pulley on the front of your engine has a vibration dampener behind it. It is called a Harmonic Balancer. It is a large diameter of steel isolated from it's hub by a rubber or similar material collar between the two. Sometimes they can come apart. Another thing to check is the motor mounts, they also have rubber isolators in them.

Do also check your oil (frequently) as these Chevy's tend to run a bit rough when low on oil.

If none of these items helps, then we have to start digging into the driveline (engine, trans. driveshaft, rear, half shafts, etc.)and determine where your vibration is coming from.

Lee

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Does it feel rough all of the time? Is it the samewhen you rev it up in neutral as it is when you are driving it?

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if its none of the above stated it could also be loose flexplate to convertor bolts or a cracked flexplate??
i would check the balancer and the motor mounts first though!!

 

Oh the car doesn't run rough, it's just I have to retighten collector bolts and header bolts every few weeks. I'm just unsure if I can use red lock tight on them or if I should go with the blue. The engine isn't too bad I was just unsure of what I could do other than lock tight.

 

they sell locking header bolts now with a type of c clip, as for the collector bolts just double nut the backside thats what i do then forget about them!!

 

Yup, I have the locking header bolts. A little pricey, got them from Summit Racing.
I agree with double nutting the flanges. I think it beats the heck out of Loc-tight.

 

Hey Rick,

Some of your descriptions have us steppin' and fetchin' like our heads was on fire and our ***** were ketchin' !

We ALL have experienced loose header bolts, it is the nature of the beast!

There are metal clips called "French Locks" that keep your bolts from coming loose. They are available at most auto parts suppliers.

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Steppin' 'n' fetchin', Uneasy Rider, Charlie Daniel's Band, early '70s

 

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