Tightning Header bolts?
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2005
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Tightning Header bolts? 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.
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.
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2005
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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...
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 333
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From: Gulfport, MS
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.....
that's what i plan on doing myself.....
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 66
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From: fort wayne, indiana
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.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2005
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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)
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
if any of the above happens then yes, that bolt in terms of its locking ability is most definitely fubar
Originally Posted by pillagenburn
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)
TECH Apprentice
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From: Gulfport, MS
Originally Posted by Steve in Seattle
1" long ARP.
Forget the Stage 8. Breslin's sound cool... but violate the KISS principle (as do the Stage 8 bolts).
Forget the Stage 8. Breslin's sound cool... but violate the KISS principle (as do the Stage 8 bolts).
I have yet to retighten any of my breslin's from the first time i put them on. Well worth the money.
