Header gaskets
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: south jersey
Header gaskets
The header gaskets on my 79 F150 keep blowing out where the header bolts to the head. I am using the paper gaskets at the local auto parts store but those don't seem to last to long so does anybody know if they make copper or aluminum gaskets for the 351M? Or does anyone else running a 351M with long tube headers have the same problem? thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
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john cant remember what brand i used but check summit raceing there is an aluminum gaskit set and the header to flange set[for the bottom pipes] that i used for my 460 [had the same problem] they are about 1/4" thick and conform the the surface nicely and seal very well as they are very soft aluminum if your blowing out gaskits the headers are probebly warped [common problem] there is also a copper set hope this helps regurds joe
Posting Guru
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From: Williamson, NY
I would get some copper gaskets and get some of those Stage-8 header bolts that have locks on them to keep them from loosening and your header leaks should be fixed.
Stage-8 Header Bolts:
Stage 8 Locking Fasteners 8913 - Stage 8 Locking Header Bolt Kits - summitracing.com
Copper Header gaskets:
Flatout Gaskets 7015C - Flatout Gaskets Copper Header Gaskets - summitracing.com
Stage-8 Header Bolts:
Stage 8 Locking Fasteners 8913 - Stage 8 Locking Header Bolt Kits - summitracing.com
Copper Header gaskets:
Flatout Gaskets 7015C - Flatout Gaskets Copper Header Gaskets - summitracing.com
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I would get some copper gaskets and get some of those Stage-8 header bolts that have locks on them to keep them from loosening and your header leaks should be fixed.
Stage-8 Header Bolts:
Stage 8 Locking Fasteners 8913 - Stage 8 Locking Header Bolt Kits - summitracing.com
Copper Header gaskets:
Flatout Gaskets 7015C - Flatout Gaskets Copper Header Gaskets - summitracing.com
Stage-8 Header Bolts:
Stage 8 Locking Fasteners 8913 - Stage 8 Locking Header Bolt Kits - summitracing.com
Copper Header gaskets:
Flatout Gaskets 7015C - Flatout Gaskets Copper Header Gaskets - summitracing.com
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
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From: Gadsden Purchase
What about -no- gaskets on headers? Will it work?
That's how my rebuilt 360FE with stock manifolds is
and no leaks at all. Makes for good heat transfer too.
Are the copper gaskets made from solid copper sheet?
Alvin in AZ
That's how my rebuilt 360FE with stock manifolds is
and no leaks at all. Makes for good heat transfer too.
Are the copper gaskets made from solid copper sheet?
Alvin in AZ
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This works too. I usually use a felpro with this and never get leaks.
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Posting Guru
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From: The Great Plains
My heads were screwed up on my 400, kept stripping the holes with the short header bolts I had on hand. I ended up doubling the gaskets up on the pass. side and using long header bolts without putting the T-I-T to them.
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Junior User
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From: south jersey
I'll have to try the hi temp rtv it should work as long as it can withstand the heat. I'm trying to stop all the popping coming from the headers. I believe its running too rich but the gaskets are definitely blown so i will have to replace them. Once i get the carb figured out.
Posting Guru
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From: Coal Country, ND
I've tried everything to get my Heddmans to seal on my 400, nothing worked. Cheap garbage paper gaskets....nope, aluminum Fel-pro's.......nope, doubled up Felpro's with silicone..............nope, last ditch effort of cutting the flanges between each exhaust port with any of the above.......nope.
Do I hate headers now? No. I hate cheap headers with thin flanges (3/16" thick). I bought some Sanderson shorties (5/8" thick flanges) that were not cheap (about $500). I have yet to install them (haven't had time), but I'm willing to bet my luck will change once I get some free time.
Do I hate headers now? No. I hate cheap headers with thin flanges (3/16" thick). I bought some Sanderson shorties (5/8" thick flanges) that were not cheap (about $500). I have yet to install them (haven't had time), but I'm willing to bet my luck will change once I get some free time.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: wyoming
On the headers like mentioned before might be warped. Also if you can pull them out and check for straigthness with a straight edge. Even a carpenters level is better than nothing. Might be some strange deformity in their somewhere. Also once you get them warm go back and retorque. Papergaskets blowout and metal gskt better.
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If no header has ever worked, something if obviously wrong somewhere. Perhaps a warp?
Posting Guru
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From: wyoming
Well just thinking outside the box a little. What size exhaust? What muffler. sometimes the muffler can be damaged inside and clog up and have to much back pressure and create problems on a side. Also make sure your headers are not in a bind when torqueing up. Meaning that muffler brackets aren't torqueing your header while installin. Is it just a paticular cylinder or just all cylinders that leak. Also when torqueing up install all bolts and start torqueing from center out. Not from the ends to center. When the header heats up it will grow and usually grow out.
