Hi

I had hooker headers installed, and a bolt came loose and the gasket burned because i didnt know what that clicking sound was.

Gasket has been replaced, and a few days later, i notice 2 loose bolts and 1 missing bolt on the passenger side, and 1 missing bolt on the driver side.

Is it possible to tighten those things so that they dont come out?

I heard of stage 8 header bolts which lock in. How would i remove these if the need arose (eg. i burn another gasket).

I need something that will stay put, and something i can take out when i feel like - its nice ot have your cake and eat it too

 

I had the same problem with 3/4" ARP header botls. They are too short IMO. You need at 1" bolts for more holding power. I heard Stage 8 bolts are a PITA to put on but once they are on, it's on.

 

some thread locker would help too

 

It takes a little work to get header bolts to stay in aluminum heads. I over-torque mine a little, though this may not be the best idea. The problem is from the different heat expansions of aluminum and steel.

What has to be done it to heat up the engine after the install, and retorque the bolts. Then do it again. Check the bolts again after a few days of driving and make sure they are all still tight. Since I've been doing this, I've never had a problem.

It's a pain, but it ends up being a lot less work than replacing the gaskets over and over.

Good Luck

 

you retorque the bolts while the engine is hot?

 

NO Sorry, let the engine go through a heat cycle, warm up and cool down first.

 

How do you torque the header bolts on LT1's? I can barley get a 3/8" open end side of wrench on most of them.

 

thats what im saying...........you guys must have some tiny arms

i just tightened each one as hard as i could...........then put the stage8 locks on a couple on each side............those things dont fit on all of em.

 

I have ARP bolts and mine are great. I tightened them down, started them up for about 10 minutes, tightened them down, drove around for about 10-15 minutes, tightened them down, went for a 1 1/2 hour drive, tightened them down, then checked them once a week for a while. Now I don't need to check them because they don't loosen, and I didn't have to deal with those damn locks and whatnot with Stage 8's (did it once, not doing it again)

If you have some patience with the car, things work out much better

 

and this is the reason stage 8 header bolts 0wn all other header bolts

and no, the locks are not hard to get on, i had all mine on in less than an hour

 

thx for the suggestions guys. I didnt put those headers in myself, so i'll have to figure out to how get at all the bolts, shouldnt be a big deal i think.

If the bolts loosen because they are steel, and the header is aluminum, then would an aluminum bolt hold better?

 

Never heard of aluminum header bolts or aluminum bolts in general. God forbids if they get stuck, you will break them all trying to get them off.

 

The absolute best header bolts to get are the Breslin split lock mechanical fasteners: www.go-breslin.com. You put these bolts on once and that's it, these bolts will not back out...ever! They're kinda pricey, but worth every penny.

 

This should end this thread. Stage 8 without a doubt. I just installed mine a week ago, and they are great. The install is easy. You just need flexibilty and patience. Passenger side first so driver side is a cake walk. You will not be disappointed.

 

Thats all great, but will i ever be able to take those locking ones out if i want to?