I've done some searches and read up on some topics. Everyone seems to go back and forth on ARP bolts and Stage 8 bolts. Blah blah blah... Which is better and where can I buy them for the best price!! Already ordered some Fel-Pro gaskets and Jet-Hot's are on the way

 

I really liked the Stage 8 locking bolts. They have been great so far and have been on for nearly 5 years with no problems or loosening.

 

I went with ARP 12pts. I guess you should retorque them every so often just in case. Just good practice.

Shied away from the Stage 8 locking mainly because if you need to re torque or remove, etc. you have those little locks to mess with (and possibly drop into the abyss).

Don't know whether the 6pt would have been better, but haven't had any problems except a couple had to be retorqued after they were firt installed.

 

Stage 8 are apain to mess with but they dang sure want back out.....I had to grind a few of the locks to get them to fit between the bolt head and primarys.

 

Got mine at Summit. Stainless Steel for around $16.00 plus $7.95 handling chg. (as I remember).

Stage 8s run over $40.00.

Whatever you get, I'd suggest getting the 1" bolts rather than the .75s.JMHO.

 

i have finally gotten sick of header leaks so i ordered percy's dead soft aluminum header gaskets, and stage 8 bolts. I have heard they are a pita to install but you never have to worry again.

 

Trust me...go with the Breslin mechanical bolts. Easy to put in, and they won't ever back out. www.go-breslin.com

 

Bubba what was the p/n? 12 piece not 16, right? 3/8 bolt dia.? I don't want to order the wrong ones!

I think I'm gonna stay away from the Stage 8's, sound like a pain in the ***

 

Those look pretty nice. How much did they cost you and whats the p/n?

 

I went to Autozone and got a set of 7/16 header bolts. I didn't even retorque them after I put them on. Never had a leak, never had one back out. That and they were $3.99.

But if spending $40 on some header bolts makes you sleep better at night, so be it I guess

John

 

I got the ARPs from summit too. 3/8 6-pt bolts and none of them have backed out yet after over a month.

 

those breslins are nice but if you ever broke a bolt off you would be screwed since there would still be tension in the hole. I am spending 40 header bolts because my headers began to leak after i my bolts worked loose and my copper gaskets started leaking. Even after retightening they still leaked. Then i did my motor and my felpros 1406's are leaking so i am goign with the best gaskets and bolts and hopefully i will never have to do it again.

 

I have a question for you guys that are concerned about header leaks- Are you putting anything on your gaskets? I smeared some high temp RTV(orange) on both sides of the header gaskets and have had no leaks on either one of my cars. I haven't had a bolt back out either.

John

 

I'm using Fel-Pro 1406 and ARP 3/4" long header bolts. No problems but I will say 3/4" is too short IMO.

 

Crap I'm doing too many things at once. I was going to say try to find some Sikolean 762, or some places sell the generic 762. It is a high temp gasket sealer. When I say high temp I'm talking well over 2000*. You can get it at diesel shops. Works real good, at work we use it on the diesels turbos and exhaust flanges. When this stuff seals it will seal for good. It is a pain to get off but it's worth it. I used it on my headers and exhaust parts without a single leak. The only draw back is that it is about $40 a tube but the tube is twice the size of your normal RTV tube. Try it trust me this stuff will amaze you!