I've had my headers on for two years and developed a leak on the back of the drivers side about a month ago. I went to put a new gasket on this weekend and found a few of the nuts to be finger tight. I checked the passenger side and most of them were loose aswell but hadn't started leaking yet.
I put a new gasket on the drivers side but it was a PITA. I reused the stock studs so I had to pull the headers off of them to change the gasket. Easier said then done, 5 hours later, a helpfull neighbor, one loosened motor mount, a floor jack, couple of 2x4's, and a big crobar and it was done.
Go tighten them down if it's been awhile.

 

Interesting. My driver's side rear (#6 cyl) tends to come loose too. I used the bolts that came with the headers instead of the studs. I have since thought about changing back to the oem studs because of this. Guess there is no point if yours are coming loose with the studs. I put some locktite on the threads last time and haven't had a loosening problem since.

 

Yeah, this discussion came up in a thread I posted about LCE headers. My new headers on the 1st gen started leaking within 500 miles after install. I checked and it was because the nuts were starting to work themselves out. I'll be getting some extra nuts and doublestacking soon.

 

we are talkign about 2 different engiens here.... the 22r and re is notorius for working the rearmost bstuds loose due to the vibration and the aluminum head... mine are completely missing and i need t ohelicoil it soon.....

 

every time im under the hood i just snug up all the bolts

 

thats a lot of bolts 4 everytime

 

the engine in my '79 used to love to spit studs and nuts(i remember occasionally hearing a loud BANG as they fell off and hit the frame on the freeway), until i got smart and started using lock washers.