My header bolts seem to keep drawing out causing exhaust leak, requiring me to keep retorquing the bolts. Do any of you have this problem, and does anyone have a solution to this. Thanks for any info.

 

breslin locking header bolts do wonders

 

Or Stage 8 bolts

www.speedinc.com

 

depends on what hes got , the stage 8s dont work very well with hookers i hear

 

Don't work as in how? I just installed them on my friends LT1 and had no install issues...and no leaks thus far

 

Thanks guys. I guess a simple "search" could've answered this for me. I have pacesetter LT's. I wish I would've pt the lockers on when I did the headers.

 

I've never had a problem with header bolts, not matter which I've used. Whats the torque spec on them? Probably something minimal.

 

You're going to hanve to retorque the bolts about 3x until they stabilize. This is due to the heating and cooling of the heads and exhaust. Best to retorque when the headers are warm (not HOT) Torque spec is 18ft/lbs

The Sage* bolts are all but worthless on an LS1. Only 8 of them are lockable.....the other 4 the locks are too short.

BTW, if you used anti-sieze on your spark plugs when installing your headers, you'll probably want to check the torque on those too. (approx 12 ft/lbs)

Schantin
2002 Camaro Z28 M6

 

Thanks for the info. I've done it 2 times already, and it seems like it may be holding up this time.

 

Uh, I've had Stage 8s on my Hooker LTs for 3 years now with no leaks. Dunno where you heard that they won't work... I've also used stock bolts on header installs with no leaks. What gaskets are you using?

 

Reused my stock bolts and haven't had a problem in years.

 

ditto

 

I guess that depends upon the headers. All of them lock just fine on my dynatech long tubes.

 

With the Stage 8 fasteners, you sometimes have to "modify" the tabs with sidecuts and such until you can get them to rest on the tube with the fastener tight. It does seem to depend mostly on the header design...and alot of people seem to end up backing the bolt off a tad to get the tabs on w/o cutting them (less than ideal for sure). That's why I would second the nomination for the Breslin bolts... easier to install properly (although, ultimately they both work well).