So after having this annoying exhaust leak for a while now I have decided it is time to pull the head off and see if the machine shop can't get the broken manifold bolt out. When I reinstall the headers I want to use the locking fasteners that everyone has suggested. After looking on summit it appears I have a couple of equally priced options. There are the ones listed as Ford Racing Performance Products (Stage 8) or the ones listed as being made by Stage 8 Fasteners. The only difference I can see between the two is that the FRPP ones are 3/8-16x1 and the Stage 8 ones are listed as 6 point, 3/8, 3/4 length. Would the shorter bolts work or should I go with the FRPP ones? Thanks.

 

The 3/4" bolts should be fine. The only problem that I had when I installed my headers, was that I couldn't use those fasteners. The heads of the bolts come so close to the pipes that the clamps(that prevents the bolt from backing out) that they wouldn't fit.

 

What kind of headers do you have? Anyone used them with the Bassani headers?

 

I got Heddman. After thye fact I should have gone with something like the Bassani. As far as the stage 8 bolts They may work with the Bassani. I dunno.

 

I just installed Bassani. Headers, Y and Catback. I liked the fasteners they had with the kit. I checked the torque 3 days after and they were a little loose. So far so good now. The kit supplied a little squeeze pack of copper anti seize. Excellent install and quality parts. But there again it should be for the money!

 

The bolts that came with them worked fine, but were pretty lose after a few days on mine too. If I remove the headers to have my head worked on can I reuse the same bolts or should I chance that the Stage 8 ones will work and just spend the money? With the leak that I have had because of the missing bolt is it safe to assume that the graphite inserts in the header gaskets are going to need replacing? Thanks.

 

Yes you can reuse the same bolts again. The gaskets, Well it depends on how bad they are. Just go ahead and spend the xtra few dollars and get new ones