Fel-pro header gaskets??
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Colorado
Fel-pro header gaskets??
Does anyone know if I can use these gaskets as header gaskets? Or will they not hold up like the normal kind? Or ARE they header gaskets? They came in my Fel-pro complete engine gasket set. They are the metal kind with little holes all over; then on the other side they are felt-ish.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Bonney Lake,WA USA
When I ran headers I used to use a combination of those and the Mr. Gasket header gaskets to keep my header from leaking. I put the metal side agianst the head and then the Mr. Gasket between it and the header surface. The combo worked great. I never had a leak after that.
As fas as using them by themselves. I myself wouldn't. Being the headers move around and also flex so much from being hot then cold I would think that there is not enough gasket meterial there to keep them from leaking.
As fas as using them by themselves. I myself wouldn't. Being the headers move around and also flex so much from being hot then cold I would think that there is not enough gasket meterial there to keep them from leaking.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,328
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From: Colorado
heep70, thanks for the idea. I think I'll do that. You know, header gaskets for Fords in general seem hard to find... Autozone didn't have them, couldn't even order them anywhere! I went to Checker, they didn't have any, but they could order some Victors for $28. But yet, on the shelves, in both stores, they have about 10 different types of header gaskets for chevy's. Weird huh?
I feel ripped off paying $28 for header gaskets by a brand I've never even heard of. At least I know I can use 2 different types and make it work.
I feel ripped off paying $28 for header gaskets by a brand I've never even heard of. At least I know I can use 2 different types and make it work.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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Victorseal gaskets
Don't worry too much about the Victorseal's......I have a set of them on my '71 360.........work great!
I did get the graphite ones, though.........
The PO of the truck had used the stock-type gasket in combination with the paper gaskets from Heddman Headers......they lasted several years before I replaced them.
Biggest problem, IMHO is the flanges on my headers are TOO THIN!
If I buy relacements, I will buy the "top of the line" headers with thew thick flanges................less warpage!
Your right about having to order them, I got them from Kragen Auto. They had scads of header gaskets for SBC's.......
I asked the manager if they had something against Ford's........They told me they stock what sells the most and they just don't sell that many Header gaskets for Ford FE's.
I did get the graphite ones, though.........
The PO of the truck had used the stock-type gasket in combination with the paper gaskets from Heddman Headers......they lasted several years before I replaced them.
Biggest problem, IMHO is the flanges on my headers are TOO THIN!
If I buy relacements, I will buy the "top of the line" headers with thew thick flanges................less warpage!
Your right about having to order them, I got them from Kragen Auto. They had scads of header gaskets for SBC's.......
I asked the manager if they had something against Ford's........They told me they stock what sells the most and they just don't sell that many Header gaskets for Ford FE's.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Colorado
Well, I got my "header gaskets" in today. I hope they let me take special order stuff back. These are not header gaskets.... and they don't even line up at all and the box says "352, 390, 428, 428cj" I'll have to take a picture..........
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Knoxville, TN
What kind of headers are those? Did they come with the grey gaskets in your photo? I don't know why i didn't see the port to header misalignment the first time.
Looks like you are going to have the same problem I have with my Hooker Comps.
Try Summit Racings Copper "TRUCK" gasket.
Looks like you are going to have the same problem I have with my Hooker Comps.
Try Summit Racings Copper "TRUCK" gasket.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,328
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From: Colorado
DuckRyder, my headers are Hedman. The gaskets in the first picture (above) are Fel-Pro (they came in a complete engine gasket set for my motor).
The picture below here are my new victor gaskets. Look how the holes aren't even close. They are supposed to have bolt holes on top and bottom of every port. These have them angled!?! What a rip off. I'm gonna run the Fel-Pro's until I can get something else. I saw some copper ones on eBay... I wonder if those are any good. Summit sounds good to try too.
The picture below here are my new victor gaskets. Look how the holes aren't even close. They are supposed to have bolt holes on top and bottom of every port. These have them angled!?! What a rip off. I'm gonna run the Fel-Pro's until I can get something else. I saw some copper ones on eBay... I wonder if those are any good. Summit sounds good to try too.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Knoxville, TN
Yeah, the offset holes are for FE's in intermediate cars (Fairlane, Cougar, Mustang and so on)
I follow now; the dark gasket is the backside of a FelPro manifold gasket.
The problem is that the sealing surface of the header is the welded "O" ring around each tube. The port in your gasket is too big and will never seal the header o the head. (MR Gasket and FelPro performance will also have the same problem) You are going to have to use the gaskets that came with the header, Hooker Gaskets, or the Summit Copper "TRUCK" ones to get it to seal.
(Says he who speaks from experience.)
I follow now; the dark gasket is the backside of a FelPro manifold gasket.
The problem is that the sealing surface of the header is the welded "O" ring around each tube. The port in your gasket is too big and will never seal the header o the head. (MR Gasket and FelPro performance will also have the same problem) You are going to have to use the gaskets that came with the header, Hooker Gaskets, or the Summit Copper "TRUCK" ones to get it to seal.
(Says he who speaks from experience.)
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Colorado
Duckryder, sounds good. I'll be doing that soon but right now I think I have a massave rear main oil seal leak!
Other than that, it's going great. I put my motor in yesterday and I'm trying to adjust my carb. It sounds good with straight headers
Tight fit.... damn.
Other than that, it's going great. I put my motor in yesterday and I'm trying to adjust my carb. It sounds good with straight headers
Tight fit.... damn.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Colorado
Duckryder, I got my Summit gaskets in today. I think they are gonna work! They are really heavy and have ribs all the way around the square ports which look like they will work great! I also found some Mr. Gasket ones for $9 as backups. What do you think?
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Joined: Feb 2002
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The Victorseal gaskets I am running on my '71 360 look just like the "mr. Gasket" one's you are showing..........except they are graphite!
I put them in in March and no leaks yet...................but I don't drive it too much either.
Maybe 2k miles since I put them in.........
I never asked about the copper ones..............Let us know how they hold up, I'm curious.
I put them in in March and no leaks yet...................but I don't drive it too much either.
Maybe 2k miles since I put them in.........
I never asked about the copper ones..............Let us know how they hold up, I'm curious.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,328
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From: Colorado
Ok guys, the copper gaskets do not work well by themselves. I have leaks in about 4 ports. I tried leaving them decent tight then it didn't work, then I cranked 'em down and it still didn't work. The problem is they don't come with any kind of instructions so I dunno if they were even designed to be used by themselves or with something else. I'm going to use 2 sets of gaskets next. I'm gonna try the copper ones on the head side, then some paper-type Mr. Gasket in between the copper and the header and try that.