header gaskets
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
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header gaskets
Hey guys this is kind of off the wall. I have got my headers in the truck and all that blahh blahh.
I was reading steve's book and he say to put high temp gasket maker on the gasket to help it seal better.
Should it be done?
Is this needed?
Thanks
-Brandon-
I was reading steve's book and he say to put high temp gasket maker on the gasket to help it seal better.
Should it be done?
Is this needed?
Thanks
-Brandon-
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Never had to do that. I put them on dry, and don't have problems.
I've seen people do that, but not sure if it actually works(very long).
The biggest thing is getting them torqued EVENLY!!!! I can't stress that enough.
I start in middle and work outward. This pulls the flange flat. My '67 is on it's second year and no problems, and I have the cheap paper gaskets that came with them.
I've seen people do that, but not sure if it actually works(very long).
The biggest thing is getting them torqued EVENLY!!!! I can't stress that enough.
I start in middle and work outward. This pulls the flange flat. My '67 is on it's second year and no problems, and I have the cheap paper gaskets that came with them.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by mswift
Don't forget to use some kinda anti-seize on your bolts.....
i got that i learned the first time when i replaced the gasket (back when i had those bricks bolted up their
) A quick replace one manifold gasket turned into a 2 day fight to get a broke bolt out. I went a got a big bottle of anti-seize.
save me that problem. -brandon-
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
I had Blackjack Alumocoat headers in my highboy w/390.
I used 330 exhaust gaskets (modified the exhaust port of the gasket to fit my headers, the normal exhaust gaskets didn't match the header and leaked) and used Red RTV (hi-temp) on them.
They lasted 16 years until I pulled the motor recently - the goo was still there, and holding strong. The headers rotted, but the gasket never leaked
Most important, after each heat-up-cool-down cycle, retorque the headers, and keep doing it until they don't come loose anymore. That took me a month or two.
I used 330 exhaust gaskets (modified the exhaust port of the gasket to fit my headers, the normal exhaust gaskets didn't match the header and leaked) and used Red RTV (hi-temp) on them.
They lasted 16 years until I pulled the motor recently - the goo was still there, and holding strong. The headers rotted, but the gasket never leaked
Most important, after each heat-up-cool-down cycle, retorque the headers, and keep doing it until they don't come loose anymore. That took me a month or two.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Since you really can't put a torque wrench on them...just pull til you can't anymore
I use a std 3/8 wrench, so you can't really over torque it anyway. If you break a header bolt using a small wrench....you're quite the man!! LOL!!
Like krewat said...keep tightening them til they stay tight. Best advice!
I use a std 3/8 wrench, so you can't really over torque it anyway. If you break a header bolt using a small wrench....you're quite the man!! LOL!!
Like krewat said...keep tightening them til they stay tight. Best advice!
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Originally Posted by bshackelford711
i got that i learned the first time when i replaced the gasket (back when i had those bricks bolted up their ) A quick replace one manifold gasket turned into a 2 day fight to get a broke bolt out.
I went a got a big bottle of anti-seize. save me that problem.
-brandon-
) A quick replace one manifold gasket turned into a 2 day fight to get a broke bolt out. I went a got a big bottle of anti-seize.
save me that problem. -brandon-
I bought a 70 sport custom with a 360 in it for a "temperary" motor for my '75 high-boy. After I pulled out of '70 SC, I figured I'd change gaskets on the logs before I threw it in 75 high-boy.
Bout 4 er 5 broken bolts later, I cussed
the damn thing out, closed up the old man's shop for the night. Next day after work, I walk into shop and prepare for a couple hours of drilling, and look down at the damn thing, and every single broken bolt was drilled out and a tap had been run thru every exhaust hole. She was ready for new gaskets to be installed. 
Next day I bought the old man a box of beer and said thanks.
Moral of the story: It's nice that the old man is retired nowadays. He "looks" for things to do around the property.
Mike
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by xfordman
How would the stock type gasket work with headers? They look like paper with a steel mesh reinforcement.
That is another good question.
They sent me some gaskets with hthe kit pull apart put one under where each bolts up to the head.
I have 3 different types of gaskets. One is the paper, and the other 2 are paper with the steel mesh. the only difference in these two are the shapes.
which is best to use?
Thanks
-Brandon-
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
Yup, that is what I used...the separate pieces type. They were perforated...cut them apart. Been good for all this time. Guess I got them installed pretty well, huh?
I used the composite type on race car(blue paper/wire mesh)and seem to hold up. Not that I could actually HEAR if they did leak...LOL!!!
I used the composite type on race car(blue paper/wire mesh)and seem to hold up. Not that I could actually HEAR if they did leak...LOL!!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
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From: Texas
I run the Fel-Pro part number 1442, this is not the standard fel-Pro header gasket and was reccomened by Stan at FPA headers (he knows headers!) these are a nice composite sammich that works well.
you can get them from Summit for $16,
Of course, they always have that $8 handling fee, so you'll want to order some other stuff like fuel injection or all new valve train :-) see how I get in trouble over an $8 handling fee.
you can get them from Summit for $16,
Of course, they always have that $8 handling fee, so you'll want to order some other stuff like fuel injection or all new valve train :-) see how I get in trouble over an $8 handling fee.