The previous owner of my jewel put a nice set of headers on my 350. they sound great, and probably do as advertised, BUT.... The darn bolds have to be tightened about every 2-3 weeks or a new exhaust gasket will be soon required. Now, I know Loc-tite is a real no no.. Does anyone have any tips or tricks on how to keep these #@$%^&%$# bolts tight. admittedly, it is no grand challenge to snug them down, but enough is enough, and would love to stop this ritual..

Don't know the cost but these should do the trick. http://www.stage8.com/stage_8_1024.htm You can buy them direct or do a search (yahoo, google, etc) on "stage 8 bolts" and you will find some dealers for them.

I also found these: http://www.go-breslin.com/text.html you need macromedia to see the page.

I've used the Stage 8 locking header bolts with no problems. One word of warning, if you've got 1 & 3/4" primaries (as I do) they're a real tight fit.

On my Chevelles with headers in the past. I drilled small holes in the bolt heads & saftey wired two together military style. It worked great.

I have to agree with Tommy: I did the same thing for my 4x4 and they haven't come loose since. When I do put headers on my El Camino I'll do the same. I picked them up from Chaparral MotorSports http://www.chaparral-racing.com since I safety wire bolts on my dirt bikes as well. The Safety wire pliers were $30.00 and the wire is $13.00 for a pound. I do suggest the .032 wire it's easy to use with or without pliers. I guess it just all depend on how much wiring you will ever need to do.

same problem here im using split locks looks like a standard header bolt except ther is a litle allen screw in the middle that expands the bolt shank havent had one back out yet :D

I appreciate it gents. I think I'll dig out the old drill press and punch some holes. The fancy fasteners are a bit high so I'll choose the old military way..... I am a retarded....um...retired vet, it just seems right you know?
One more question. use a special wire to tolerate the temp? or will any bolt wire work?

I also found these: http://www.go-breslin.com/text.html you need macromedia to see the page.

I just read an article about these they are suppose to be really good. I've thought about getting some for my Elkys.

I use standard .32 stafety wire. I can get you some if you like. 8-)

I appreciate it. Let me check around here at some of our parts stores and find what can. I may need to get back to you

Bolts don't seem to loosen up on my headers. The problem I had was with all the junk gaskets out there. The junk gaskets seem to compress more and more with the heat as time goes by. I found out that what appeared to be bolts loosening up was actually gaskets compressing or shrinking and allowing the bolts to loosen more. Years ago I started using the napa standard exhaust manifold gaskets. Installed with the metal side towards the block. Since I started using the napa gaskets I have not had header bolts loosen. I have also heard of people installing a flat washer under each bolt to stop the loose bolt problem. More than one way to skin a cat. :D

I am familiar with safety wiring of aircraft components and feel that although it may stir up some inquisative conversations from people who notice the work you've done, it may also be overkill. A quality set of header exhaust gaskets, allen head bolts, and a smidge of liquid Maalok (any drugstore) on the bolt threads when you install them should be sufficeient.

You can also buy lock tight at any auto parts store. I saftey so much on our jet engines at work that it's a natural thing for me. It does take practice to do it well.

Won't simple lock washer work?

ARP sells them for like six bucks.

why allen head bolts? do they tighten down better? or hold better?

doesnt seem like they would

WROR

From what I understand, the reason for allen head bolts is they are easier to tighten right up next to the headers.

Yeh? you'd think you could get more leverage off a normal bolt... i guess i'll find out for myself when i install my headers

WROR

The allen head is for the inner bolt the expands the outer bolt.

I have tried those split lock washers and they won't do the trick if you use chesp header gaskets. I have used the premium copper gaskets on several engines and the bolts don't loosen although I tighten them up twice after running the engine a short time.

for my 69 chevelle (350) i use all allen bolts with normal washers. the gaskets, depending how much I money I have, range from Mr. Gaskets Cork, and Fel Pro's copper gaskets. Currently I have the performance cork from Mr. Gaskets I have not tightened the bolts in about 6 months. before this setup I had to tighten the bolts and change the gaskets(the cheap thin kind) every month.

The easiest place I have found to get safety wire is your nearest Harley Davidson shop. All Harleys wear safety wire.

Dave

Here is what I've see the heavy hitters at the track do, and conversely we've done this with the bucket we've been racing and it seems to work alright.

Use the Red High-temp gasket sealer as gaskets and "locktite" on the headers. The bolts don't back out and the red RTV stuff seals the headers we haven't had to tighten the zoomies in over three weeks so far, we're running Alcohol now but was using gas for a spell.

I figured that I'd see how well it worked on the rod and if it held up then I'd try it on my Elky.

That is it too no gasket, no lock washers, just the Red High Temp sealer and it doesn't burn or open up, so far. Methane rods and gas rods and alcohol rods are running this stuff and it seems to work. We were going through at least one set of gaskets a night usually two or more. Now no problems - so far.

Its a thought. 8)

I use the Breslin header bolts! They work EXACTLY as advertised! They won't come loose! I run aluminum heads and always use antisieze on threads that don't use sealer, so they come out easy too! I'll never use anything else now.. They even come in stainless so they will always look great with coated headers! Easy fix to what use to be a BIG problem!! :cool:

I think Scrubby is on the right track about the gaskets being the real problem with loosening header bolts. Since I started using copper gaskets several years ago I haven't had any problems.

Hi A quick and easy fix is using stainless inside locking star washers on the bolts.

.1

Don't know the cost but these should do the trick. http://www.stage8.com/stage_8_1024.htm You can buy them direct or do a search (yahoo, google, etc) on "stage 8 bolts" and you will find some dealers for them.
I'm an authorized dealer for Stage 8 and have most Chevy applications in stock and boxed for shipping. PM me if your interested.

btw,use copper header gaskets:texas:

I am familiar with safety wiring of aircraft components and feel that although it may stir up some inquisative conversations from people who notice the work you've done, it may also be overkill. A quality set of header exhaust gaskets, allen head bolts, and a smidge of liquid Maalok (any drugstore) on the bolt threads when you install them should be sufficeient.
Maalok? Never heard of that one.

I've been using safety wire for almost 50 years on airplanes and engines, but I'm also in favor of the solid copper header gaskets. They are not cheap, but buying the cheap ones all the time isn't either. I first used them on the collectors in my Malibu, with great results, and they are re-usable if the header has to be removed for other repairs, like a starter etc. They don't compress enough to get loose so far. The copper gaskets can also be annealed to a soft state again by heating them very hot and quenching in water.

Who said Loc-tite was a no no? Its actually worked for me with the copper header gaskets from Summit Racing.:texas:

God this post brings back memories, .32 thous. steel safety wire will work well. Did about 1,000,000 of them on jet aircraft in the mil. Not fun when its below zero deg.s outside Jim:beer::texas:

Since I just put Hooker Headers on my Caballero, I'm learning fast since I actually lost two bolts, did not know I needed to check these but alot of the reason they came off is who did the job for me. What a joke, I should have taken pictures, finally replaced all my pipes to the rear tips. Looks sharp now and sound great too. Thank you for all the learning tips. rango:smileyb::smileyb: