[Bruce Edwards]

Check your local speed shop. You can pick some up header bolts with a snap ring that you install after the bolts are on and tight that will keep them from backing out.
Always use a good header gasket not the cheap ones that come with most headers. The good ones will only shink a small amout were as I have seen others get very hard over a short time and blow out as they get smaller.
As far as gaskets go you get what you pay for and that really shows up on header gaskets!