You asked what causes header bolts to loosen. Vibration has something to do with it but mostly metal expansion and contraction. Headers have a fairly large temperature fluctuation becuase they release alot of heat (whereas cast iron manifolds tend to retain heat better) so the heating and cooling of headers causes cracks in the headers and bolts to loosen.
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2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R
1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8
ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain
hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 
1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc.
Sold 02/06/04 
1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03)
Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)
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