when i bought my car it had stage 8 locking header bolts on them. ive put a lot of miles on the car since and would like to tighten the bolts again but aren't sure how. do they work as normal bolts where i can just torque em down or do i need to do something special?

 

Yeah, the only thing is tha you have to tighten the bolt in approx 1/8 increments inorder to get the locks on. They don't have to be used with the locks, but what's the point. Be careful, since there is less meat on the head of the bolt, they are easier to round!

 

do i need to "unlock" them before torquing them down?

 

If they are not leaking don't tighten them!

 

definately some ticking, though very faint

 

if your gaskets have burned, tightening them will not help. CHeck to see if they are black.