Stage 8 locking header bolts

[Ozz]

I am just about to order my Stage 8 locking header bolts, but have a question. Are these going to be a pain in the ass to install? I will be putting on shorty unEQs. I've heard lots of people using torx bit bolts because of clearance issues on headers. Do the Stage 8s come like that or are they regular ol' fat-head bolts? Summit has no pictures of them and I haven't been able to see pics of the heads of them.

3/8, 16x1 is the size of the header bolts from Stage 8, btw. These will fit with no issues, correct?

Thanks!

 

[91LX302]

Yes they will fit. I didn't find the Stage 8's any more of a pain than regular bolts that came with my headers. It just takes patience.

 

[Ozz]

It just takes patience.

Uh oh...



Thanks.

 

[stang22]

I believe it comes with both options. You can either use the allen wrench or socket to tighten them up. I don't have any, but I will use the same ones when I put my motor back together. What headers are not a PITA to put back on anyway?

Tim

 

[Sicarius428]

I believe I have a set of stage 8 header bolts on one of my engines. The issue I ran into is that since they have the locking plate and E-clip, they have a higher head on the bolt. The issue is that sometimes they did not want to fit or not easily on the inside bend of the header. This may vary between header companies which I have them on a 428cj with hooker headers. I don't know what your situation will be with your setup but it is just a consideration. I am just trying to think that it would still be a really tight fit on my 302 with bbk headers too. Especially if your headers have molded themselves to another set of heads. Happy trails.
Kevin

 

[87gtconv]

I did not put them on my stang cause of costs mostly but once I tightened mine the second time they never loosened! I have JBA sdhorties!

 

[GroverDill]

I run them on my BBK long tubes, worth every penny to me.

http://93gt.com/93GTPics/Stage8Bolts.jpg

 

[stang22]

I run them on my BBK long tubes, worth every penny to me.

Grover,

Are those ceramiced or Jet hot coated headers? I am buying the BBK Jet hot ones. How do you like them?

Tim

 

[Sicarius428]

They are the Jet coated ones. I live in a really foggy area just south of San Francisco in the Peoples Republic of California. I have had them on the car for almost 3 years and there isn't any rust on the... yet. It's going to happen... just a matter of time. They are great in my opinion and I recommend them highly. I have a set of Ceramic Hookers on my '70 and it seems to scratch off really easily. I do not have the equal length BBks but I do suggest getting them. For some dumb reason they seem easier to put in the car and a lot easier to change spark plugs(my friend has a set).
Kevin

 

[Ozz]

I was just worried due to the style of the bolts themselves, THEY would be a pain in the ass to set and screw in.

Grover, are they standard head or torx head? Or both and you pick your favorite?

Thanks again

 

[RYC CUKR]

Got them on my shorties as well.

Got tired of replacing header gaskets. They were a little pricey but worth it in my opinion. I did run into a little problem cause the heads of the bolts are taller due to the slot for the "e" clip but it was pretty easy to get around.

When you put the headers on start all the bolts in a couple of threads before snugging them down and then you can see which ones to tighten down first. The e clips aren't to bad to put on. Just don't loose one.

 

[Sicarius428]

I had to do the same thing and tighten them down on my 70 but I wouldn't be able to do it on my 90 302 because the headers are molded to my stock heads. I would probably end up stripping my heads aluminum or something if i had to do that. Now the BBKs have a full length 3/8 flange where mine are like individual tubes which bolt to the exhaust port which go everywhere and anywhere they want. The new ones bolt up easy where mine are like 3 years old. The problem with my 70 is that the car is a Q code 428cj with the reinforced shock towers. The taller stage 8 bolts and the thick flange were just enough to bump the extra 3/8 thick shock tower reinforcement. I had to use a couple regular header bolts also because the bends on those headers were really sharp and the stage 8s would not fit at all. I doubt you will run into any of those problems. For my 302 I have the ARP 12 pt bolts wich came in an engine kit. I do suggest getting the 6 pt bolts if you go that way for the exhaust though. It is hard to fit the 12pt wrench on the head with the inside bend although they do look really nice.
Kevin

 

[Ozz]

Would 6pt ARP bolts be a better choice?

My header are Flowtech, 1 1/2" primaries, one piece 3/8 flange, shorty unequals.

Just wanna weight out all my options before buying.

 

[Sicarius428]

ARP I believe is a stronger bolt but strenth is really not needed for the headers. You will have to tighten the header bolts up after two weeks of driving or so and they do have the possibility of becoming loose eventually. The stage 8s will not loosen at all. I don't think there is a better one between the two but the stage 8s will probably be more functional in the long run. Unfortunately I am not familiar with the Flowtech headers but if they are like any typical 302 header you can probably go either way. The bends are probably not very extreme and I believe your headers have a one piece flange so there should not be any problems trying to make them fit to your head. I can probably fit the stage 8s on my unequal length bbk 302 headers. Just that I had the 12 pt engine kit and they came with the header bolts.
Kevin

 

[TC93]

I looked at the Stage 8 bolts, but to pricey for me. What I did was, use stainless steel loc washers from Lowes with the regular header bolts and never had one come loose.