Are stage 8 locking header bolts really worth it?

I really do not want to have to mess around with header bolts loosening up and re-torquing them. I've been looking around for solutions to this and that has inspired this question. I see the basic choice seems to be these ARP bolts http://www.byunspeed.com/product_info.php?products_id=860&osCsid=fca79bd9a0c841289abb5076bc836dde

However the state 8 locking header bolts do seem to be god awful expensive and I seem to remember people talking about it being much more difficult to get a wrench on them for proper tightening. https://securehost98.hrwebservices.net/~herronp/store/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=215

I guess I'm just wondering if it's worth it to go with the locking bolts and not have to deal with putting the engine through 2 or 3 heat cycles and re-torquing each time(or would you still have to do that with the stage 8's anyway?). I could be completely wrong though and the stage 8 stuff may suck so by all means let me know.

not worth it IMO. it takes 2 minutes to make sure regular header bolts are tight. or you can sit and struggle with those stage 8's getting them on and off whenever you have to do something. F that! save the 60 bucks for something worthwhile

I have a set of Breslin bolts. Installed them once and never had to re-tighten them or worry about them backing out.

not worth it IMO. it takes 2 minutes to make sure regular header bolts are tight. or you can sit and struggle with those stage 8's getting them on and off whenever you have to do something. F that! save the 60 bucks for something worthwhile

Ok, see I've never messed with the bolts on headers with a LT1 before. I'm hoping to get mine on my car here soon and just want to get the general idea about this stuff.

I have a set of Breslin bolts. Installed them once and never had to re-tighten them or worry about them backing out.

I'm under the impression those haven't been made for quite a while now?

The little cheap bolts that came with my pacesetters haven't loosened after the first few heat cycles... I've been checking them daily though. Save the money....

I am going to go against the flow here and say yes they are worth every penny. I'm the type of guy that likes to do something once and do it right. That way I do not have to struggle with any problems down the road. The extra price is worth it to me to save time and hassle. To other people it may not be worth it...

I'm under the impression those haven't been made for quite a while now?


I got mine from ebay. I think Percy's is making them now too.

I personally hated the Stage 8 bolts. I had them all on, and in the process of trying to put all the locks on, almost lost 3 in the chassis. Took them out and put my ARP bolts back in, took half the time. If you stick to retightening the bolts, you will have no problems.

I've also seen Percy's Breslin-style bolts advertised, not sure about quality though.

I actually used the Breslin's back when I installed my headers. If the Percy's are anything like the Breslin bolts that I used, they are excellent quality.

I've had stock bolts in for about 4 years.. Blue Loctite and one re torquing.. Good to go..

Percy's is now making the Breslin Split Locks. The guy that started the Breslin company passed away. I'm not sure whether Percys bought the patent, or what, but they are now making the bolts. There may be a couple of places on EBay that still have some of the original Breslin bolts. I got mine from this guy, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BB-Chevy-Ford-Stainless-Steel-Locking-Header-Bolts_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el12 62QQcategoryZ33631QQihZ020QQitemZ300223808254

If I were going to get a locking bolt, I would get those. They won several design awards. I would bet they're a much nicer bolt, and better design, than the Stage 8's.

Looks like i'm going to be the only one to say I like the stage 8. I got tired of blown out gaskets due to them loosening even though I checked them often. After 4 sets of gaskets I'm on the final set that are locked in place.

I had some issues with exhaust leaks so I tried the stage 8 bolts, looked at getting the clips on and said F that!

I still have a set of stage 8 bolts on one side, without the locks on. I'm going to pull them off and sell them / give them away eventually since I have some custom 3/8" wrenches for other bolts (stage 8s are a size 7/16" head).

Incidentally, my exhaust leak was not actually at the headers. It was at my EGR feed, so I blocked that crap off.

Oh, and after a year I did have a mild header leak, and I went and just retightened the bolts and it went away. The worst bolt was about half a turn loose :lol: but since I have percy's gaskets I just retightened the bolts and no problems :)

I had a hell of a time getting a wrench on the 3/8" Breslins. I imagine 7/16" would be that much more difficult.

If you want a locking bolt, I think the split lock design is the way to go.