Header Bolt Questions

[Bihili]

The header bolts on my ceramic coated headers are becoming a pain in the ass.
There are some that keep coming loose.
They are 3/4 inch long polished hex head.

Maybe one inch long bolts with washers would help.
Anyway,
Is stainless steel header bolts really 15% better than grade 8?

Is 12 point really better than hex?

Any solutions besides the expensive Stage 8 locking bolts?

[markm]

Back when I used Mr. junk Gasket header gaskets I had lots of issues with loose bolts. I have switched to copper gaskets with high heat copper silicone and do not have the leak and loose bolt issues I once had.

[Rick_L]

X2 on the gaskets being the cause and solution on the loose bolts.

I like 12 point heads because they have the smallest head and use the smallest wrench. This for the tight fit bolts. Small hex head bolts are good if you have plenty of room for them and the wrench.

You should use decent bolts, but Mr. Gasket header bolts are that. You don't need more if you have the right gasket (and a decent header). You don't need stainless or polished or extra strength bolts for function.

Washers are usually going to be in the way.

[WagonCrazy]

What Rick said...
I have copper gaskets on my shorty headers, along with 12 point heads and haven’t had any problem with them loosening up for years now.

[chevynut]

Yup!