i put hedman headers on my car and the passanger side keeps loosening and blowing out my gasket, is there a trick too keep the bolt tight....i have circle aftermarket gaskets if the stock gaskets are round can i use them instead would that be better?

 

try a set of percys. i have used them on several engines with headers, and have had great results. another that i want to try is Mr gasket solid copper they have an embossment to help seal.

 

Use lockwashers on the header bolts. Did the trick with mine after the header bolts kept loosening up. I use felpro gaskets and they have loosened up many many times but never blew the gasket out. Or summit sells locking header bolts but they are about $40 plus their handling charge of $10 or so.

 

You've got two realistic options. One is the Stage 8 locking header bolts that are about $40 mentioned above. HERE Available throught Summit Racing. Another option is the Breslin locking header bolts. HERE Also carried by Summit. I have never had a stage 8 locking header bolt come loose. Right now I'm running the Breslins, but 3 or 4 have fallen out. I don't blame the bolts, but the fact that my exhaust is hanging by the headers.....
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click the 'HERE' for links

 

I didn't want to cough up that kind of cash on bolts.
Just re-tighten them after they heat cycle, and they should hold after that.
You can also use lockwire, but once you pay for the parts to lockwire your stuff, and then go through the immense hassle, you'll wish you just bought the stage 8's.

 

That didn't work for me, they would still loosen back up. Maybe it's because my headers are stainless though. When stainless heat cycles, it expands and contracts more than mild steel. Just put some lockwashers on there. Cheap and it works.

 

hmm, I was about to argue with your darrell, I thought the thermal coefficient of expansion for SS was smaller than MS. But I was wrong, ~8 vs ~18x10^-6. The thermal conductivity is much lower in SS than MS, that's what I was thinking...
well heck, use SS bolts then

 

percys dead soft aluminum gaskets, and stage 8 locking bolts. havent had a loose bolt or a leaking header gasket in 3 years!

 

That's a good idea!
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Damn! I bet! Sounds bulletproof for no leaks. I am definately going with that setup when I drop my new motor in. No more annoying ticks.