I was just informed that if I purchase some headers, I'm going to have to tighten them every couple of weeks or so. Is this true? Is there anyway I can get something to prevent this problem? I don't want to have to go out to my car, and make sure the bolts are nice and tight. That kind of seems to me like an irritation after a while...If anyone knows anything, I would appreciate it. Thanks a lot.

 

You only have to do this a few times til everything gets settled in.

 

ive read after two heat cycles the gasket will be set and you dont have to worry anymore. i stopped having to tighten mine after about a week. ive also heard soaking gaskets in water for a couple hours before install will help. use that tip at your own risk as i have never tried it.

 

This is so weird. I used to have a 91 Camaro RS 305 and I put some headman headers on it. I never had to tighten anything. Like a year down the road, one of my gaskets was leaking a little bit and I had to get it replaced. After that, I had to tighten the bolts on that one side for a little while. It started getting annoying and little things bothered me...

 

http://www.go-breslin.com/text.html

 

Make sure everything is snug... and if you can, drop a SMALL bead of hi-temp copper RTV on the head of the bolt after you tighten it down, effectively mating it to the header flange

that's what i plan on doing myself.....

 

Just buy some Stage 8 locking header bolts. Then theres no way they can back out.

 

I agree with 'smoknta'; Stage 8 locking header bolts are the way to go...

 

I have some 1 inch Arp bolts and I havent really tightened them since after a week since I did my header install. Now going on about 3 or so months. I haven't checked them in awhile and they may be a little loose, but the car is running awesome right now, so I don't believe they are leaking. Just tighten them up for a few weeks and then after that just check them periodically and you should be good to go. If I had the money I would have gotten the Breslin bolts as I hear they are really quality pieces, but they are a little pricey. I have heard many complaints about the stage 8 bolts being a big pain to install.

 

The harder to install, the better they probably are.

 

I used the 1 inch ARP's as well and for some reason, I never had to re-tighten them. I checked them after a few heat cycles and they were still tight. They've been installed for about 1500 miles and i havent had any problems...

 

i had stage 8 locking bolts for a while - if you ever need to get them back out, forget it ... its a complete pain in the ***...... you'll destroy the locking clips while getting them out (bent/broken/smashed etc)

 

So basically if I get stage 8 locking bolts and one of my header gaskets starts leaking, I'm screwed...Right?

 

well, if you can get the clip back off cleanly without breaking the little (and i do mean LITTLE) locking clip and/or losing it (or the lock itself) in the engine bay ... then i'd say no, you're not screwed...


if any of the above happens then yes, that bolt in terms of its locking ability is most definitely fubar

 

They are just cheap c-clips that your pulling off. The expensive part is the bolt and the hex style lock plate.

 

1" long ARP.

Forget the Stage 8. Breslin's sound cool... but violate the KISS principle (as do the Stage 8 bolts).

 

I only had to tighten a few times then they were fine.

 

I have yet to retighten any of my breslin's from the first time i put them on. Well worth the money.

 

How much money are we talking? Also, where can I get these? Where can I get the 1" long ARP as well?

 

jegs, summit, speed inc.. etc..