whats the best header bolts (locking bolts)?

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Oct 26, 2005 | 09:40 AM

trouse40

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From: A-town, TX

whats the best header bolts (locking bolts)?

brand, how much, and where can i get them? i want to be able to do it once and it not leak, burn gaskets or back out any!

Oct 26, 2005 | 10:08 AM

DOUBT IT

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From: Central AL

Just get yourself some new factory ones from the dealership, torque them right the first time, then go back 1 week later and re-torque them. Mine are still tight.

Make sure that you run a cleanup tap into the holes to clean them out.

Oct 27, 2005 | 10:45 PM

DanO

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ARP Stainless stud kit, can get from anywhere that sells ARP, for around 90 bucks

... if you want the best.

Oct 27, 2005 | 11:54 PM

Krab

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From: Central Texas

$90 for a header stud kit? That's insane to me. Just re-use your factory bolts, be sure to use some anti-seize on them so you won't cross thread any and you won't have trouble unbolting them if you ever have to take them off. Plus, they're free.

Oct 28, 2005 | 12:14 AM

OldeSkool

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From: TX

stockers

Oct 28, 2005 | 02:12 PM

zeno49

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From: ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldeSkool

stockers

After $5,000 of work mine acts like a ford escort,, 2000 Z28 cam headers
free mods....leaks in either headers or exhaust, wish I kept it stock....wg

Oct 28, 2005 | 05:27 PM

CBX

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DanO

ARP Stainless stud kit, can get from anywhere that sells ARP, for around 90 bucks

... if you want the best.

That's a lot of cake for header bolts. My headers came with new bolts, I used them never had a problem.

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Oct 29, 2005 | 02:30 AM

Heartless

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From: modesto california

Quote:

Originally Posted by trouse40

brand, how much, and where can i get them? i want to be able to do it once and it not leak, burn gaskets or back out any!

Yes they are expensive..... the arp "stud type" bolts and nuts are locking type and have the benefit of the stud protruding out to "hang" your gasket on and then your header flange..... also, retightening your header bolts while not difficult is about a 7 on the pain in the *** scale of 10, so doing this once or twice during the initial 1 or 2 weeks is worth avoiding.... and I am not a fan of tightening and torqueing these bolts any more than you have too, the more likely you over-tighten and strip threads or snap off bolt or get a bolt in crooked and cross threaded...... the arp set is the best, there is also a set made by "stage 8" for around 50 bucks, but snapping in the lock washer on these is no treat (I speak from experience) ......

Oct 29, 2005 | 10:14 PM

#10

25thhawk

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I have Breslin split locks. I go them from summit. I think they were like $60. They are a bolt with an allen screw inside them. You tock the bolt and them lighten the allen key. Had them for about two years, no leaks, never retightened.

Ryan

Oct 30, 2005 | 01:09 AM

#11

natronathon

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From: Wichita KS

hell, i bought the stage 8 locking fastners, but when i tried to put the clips on, I said **** it cause i kept dropping the damn clip, and they haven't come loose yet, so they worked well. Nice bolts though for sure! But, you could prolly clean the stockers up and use them as well...

Oct 30, 2005 | 09:33 AM

#12

BOONE

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From: council bluffs Iowa

Stage 8 no locks

Nov 4, 2005 | 05:34 PM

#13

WILWAXU

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From: League City, TX

Stock ones have worked well for me.. for years.

Nov 4, 2005 | 07:39 PM

#14

NHRAMAN

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From: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*

Quote:

Originally Posted by 25thhawk

have heard good things about that type of locking bolt

Nov 5, 2005 | 07:15 AM

#15

Viper

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From: Cleveland, OH

3 sets of headers, all with stock bolts and anti-seize, never an issue in 5 years.

Nov 5, 2005 | 04:23 PM

#16

SLPSS01

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From: Warrenville, IL.

I re-used the stock bolts, cost = free. Never had a problem and didn't need to re-tighten. Locking bolts are overkill imo.

Nov 6, 2005 | 08:00 PM

#17

Danny2tek

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I bought new OEM bolts

Nov 6, 2005 | 08:10 PM

#18

chicane

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From: Las Vegas

Stock or ARP wire bolts with a turn or two of teflon pipe tape on the treads before install. At that point you dont even need the wire lock, but its just more insurance they wont back out.