Header gaskets
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
Header gaskets
With so many brands and styles to choose from, I was wondering from you pros, what is a good header gasket to use? and collector gasket to avoid leaks. Got a set of headers and want to put them on this weekend. Any recommendations on what kind of header bolts to use? 12 point? stainless hex?
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
Hey DS59 good hearing from you again. I'm running cast iron early 289 heads. The headers I got are Ford Racing products block hugger style headers. They are ceramic coated and have pretty thick flanges on them. Am planning on going to the parts store tomorrow and get gaskets, just need to know which to get. I also need the collector gasket and header bolts. Then it goes to the muffler shop on Saturday, (after a few passes by the local police station LOL)
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,440
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County, CA
I have the ceramic coated block huggers, too. As with practically everything else in the aftermarket world, there's 8 million schools of thought about the pro's and con's of yes, even gaskets! I went to NAPA and asked about copper vs. cork vs. ??? Probably best if you do the same, but make sure you do it at a knowledgable source. I went with the NAPA brand and a good tube of gasket sealer. No problems and still looking fresh!
DS
DS
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Queanbeyan Australia
Block huggers - Gaskets
With block huggers with a reasonable flange thickness I normally split (cut) the flange between the ports so the pipes can move independently, file them so they are dead flat and then run them with no gaskets
Sounds weird......but I have always found they seal better that way.
The "file them" step is critical......it's the welds holding them away from the head that cause them to leak....which is why people put a gasket in to take up the gap.
Of course if they are already ceramic coated.........???
My A$.03 worth (Exchange rate. Australian dollar is worth much)
Sounds weird......but I have always found they seal better that way.
The "file them" step is critical......it's the welds holding them away from the head that cause them to leak....which is why people put a gasket in to take up the gap.
Of course if they are already ceramic coated.........???
My A$.03 worth (Exchange rate. Australian dollar is worth much)
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
I have a set of Sanderson headers on my 302 and did not use any kind of gaskets. I used a tube of the black Permatex type gasket former to run a bead around each port of the header and then bolted them on, without any leaks. I did use copper gaskets for the collectors.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
I've seen a few people not using gaskets? I know with the stock manifolds I don't use the gaskets nor do I put gasket sealer on, and it seals great. I'm curious if it's better to use gaskets? or not? any suggestions? I also heard to run the engine for about 20 minutes and retighten the header bolts? That eliminates leaks also? Thanks for the ideas.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
the instructions with my headers also suggested to run the engine for about 20 minutes and tighten the header bolts to prevent leaks. good luck
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer