Hello-

So I have some header leaks like everyone else...

I am replacing my exhaust gaskets with Percy's and using stage 8 bolts to lock em down. The question is, how do you apply the appropriate Torque when you cannot get a socket wrench on the bolts? Some of them I can only get an 11 mm wrench on. Do they make an 11mm crow foot that I can attach to my 3/8 torque wrench?

Any thoughts? How have others done this?

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

Regards,

 

Just my .02 The stage 8 bolts sux. I used copper gaskets and they leaked. I just put new AFR heads on and I used Felpro gaskets and 6 point Arp bolts. No more leaks. As for the torque. I can't get one in there so I just tighten it til it felt about 30lbs. Good luck man..

 

There is nothing wrong with Stage 8s, they work fine. You don't need to use a torque wrench on them. Where you have clearance issues either use an allen wrench type socket on your ratchet or take an old open end and introduce it to Mr. Bench Grinder and remove enough material so it has room to move further without hitting the header pipe. Just get them good and snug and put on the clips and they will be fine.
I'm not familiar with Percy's gaskets but I've had great results with Earl's.

 

stage 8's suck. They wont let the bolt come completely loose but will still allow them to back out enough to have a leak. Been there and done that for about a year with them. Breslin bolts are the way to go.

 

My AS&M headers I had to grind them down to fit next to the primary and only could get half of them on. Not worth the money. Go with the Breslin set. Much better..

 

I have stage 8s with slp shorties and Percy's. the reason I have Percy's is because I lost two clips from the stage 8s and the bolts backed out. Evidently I just didn't seat the retaining clips well enough. For what it's worth, Percy's are the only way to go. They crush to seal irregular surfaces and don't burn if a bolt backs out. There is nothing wrong with stage 8s, it up to the installer to do it correctly.

 

That's funny.

 

I used the Stage 8 bolts on my Hooker LT's, with Felpro 1406 gaskets and never had a problem, except that I couldn't get the locks on. The allen heads made them worth it to me. I checked them to be tight every 2-3 months, but never found any that were loose. I recently had the engine out of the car and was finally able to get those locks on, glad that I saved them.

Chris

 

Sorry but there nothing to do correcty when they don't fit. On my AS&M the primary tube are 1 3/4". The locking clip will not fit on due to the tube being so close to the bolt. These are not your sissy shorty headers.

 

Exactly I like to use the closed end and just grind all the way around it and make it really thin. Even had the offset and works great. I just call it the "header wrench" now.

 

Have been using Felpro LT1 gaskets (sorry dont rememeber the #) and ARP stainless steel 12 pt bolts with my Hooker LT's along. The wrench is a Snap-on long combation tight as i possible can get them and have no problems ever. Installed them over 3 years ago on the daily driver.

 

Did you try shaving the washer as what was suggested in the instructions?

 

Its hugely disappoining to me that my headers don't meet your approval. I'll have to take solace in the fact that I have never written a sentence like "Sorry but there nothing to do correcty when they don't fit".

 

Yes I did and it's so close to the bolt by the time you grind enough off they don't hold any more. Thats one thing I hate about these headers. The bolts are right up against the tubes and the tubes go right over some of the spark plugs to where you need to grind a socket down. Other wise I love them.
As for Bud m. Smoke a little more bud and get alife. You guys here take this sh*t to f**ken serious. You kill it for people.

 

That's what I was afraid of. Basically, every header is a PITA in some fashion.