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I've had reacurring leaks from my header bolts getting loose. I finally got a set of locking bolts. They are cool and not as bad as I thought to install. The question- Should I take off the locks and retorque the bolts after a couple hundred miles? I always did before and some of them needed it. But I dont know if they backed off or the header gasket colapsed. Any body here got any experince with this?
I had a loose exhaust manifold bolt once. It got so loose it fell out and got lost somewhere on the ground, probably on the street because I didn't see it in the driveway.
Anyway I got a replacement at the junkyard and put it back where it goes. Haven't checked it since.
Were there any directions with the headers? Or did you get them with the truck. Maybe you need some anti-seize?
The gasket shouldn't collapse, it should mold to the exhaust, maybe that would make the fit a little loose. Anyway, i would try to tighten softly, if i found no resistance i would apply the specified torque.