Good header gaskets! Header paint?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Germantown, MD
Good header gaskets! Header paint?
My headers are leaking (of course). It has the junk paper gaskets right now. The bolts loosened up on me, too. I'm thinking Mr. gasket copper gaskets for about 30 bucks from Summit. And, I'll have to be sure to check the tightness of the bolts every once in a while. MRG-7160 Any suggestions/objections/comments?
Also, I painted them when I put them on a year or so ago. I used high temp primer and high temp header paint. Supposed toleration of 1,200*F. Of course the paint has long since peeled off. Is there a place that does ceramic coating, or could I do something different??? They're a terrible eye sore, and they'll probably rust through if I leave them be.
Also, I painted them when I put them on a year or so ago. I used high temp primer and high temp header paint. Supposed toleration of 1,200*F. Of course the paint has long since peeled off. Is there a place that does ceramic coating, or could I do something different??? They're a terrible eye sore, and they'll probably rust through if I leave them be.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
I've found the gaskets are not as important as keeping them snug, header gaskets always need to be re-torqued after each increasing heat soak until they stay snug.
I prefer the Fel-Pro Performance.
Ceramic coatings that are worth using are not cheap!
And there is only one IMO Jet-Hot!
Jet-Hot held up the best of all we tried and we tried several.
The Silver looks good for awhile, however it does stain from crap getting splashed on them while hot and cleaning mars the finish, it also cracks and flakes off with heat cycles.
The JH2000 is permanent and can not be removed, This stuff is AWESOME and the only one we use!
The Jet-Hot 2000 is the only one that has stayed on looking like it did the day they were done, Pretty much impervious to anything, I have header tubes that are completely buckled and the JH2K is still there even in the deep sharp creases!
Get something on them when hot, no worry, once cool use a wire brush wheel and they'll look new again!
Unfortunately the JH2K only comes in Grey and Black, I have always done black and they look AWESOME!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
I prefer the Fel-Pro Performance.
Ceramic coatings that are worth using are not cheap!
And there is only one IMO Jet-Hot!
Jet-Hot held up the best of all we tried and we tried several.
The Silver looks good for awhile, however it does stain from crap getting splashed on them while hot and cleaning mars the finish, it also cracks and flakes off with heat cycles.
The JH2000 is permanent and can not be removed, This stuff is AWESOME and the only one we use!
The Jet-Hot 2000 is the only one that has stayed on looking like it did the day they were done, Pretty much impervious to anything, I have header tubes that are completely buckled and the JH2K is still there even in the deep sharp creases!
Get something on them when hot, no worry, once cool use a wire brush wheel and they'll look new again!
Unfortunately the JH2K only comes in Grey and Black, I have always done black and they look AWESOME!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Re-torquing is the answer to header leaks. Normally the cheap header bolts strip on the hex side so look into better bolts or studs. Ive used brush on black header paint from eastwood for decent results on something thats not show, but basically you get what you pay for in header paint.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Germantown, MD
Thanks for the responses guys. I checked out the Jet Black site. Looks like good quality stuff, but it also looks expensive. I did shoot them an email for an estimate, that will be the determining factor.
I looked around on Summit at header paint. Wow, what a selection! I am leaning towards the POR-20 header/manifold brush on paint. It's like 30 bucks for a pint. It should be much better than the VHT 9 dollar spray on paint I used last time.
Any recommendations on good gaskets? Sounds like if I keep the bolts tight it should be okay. But, I did get these headers used, so a decent gasket should be used, but maybe I don't need to spend 30 bucks on copper gaskets. ?
I looked around on Summit at header paint. Wow, what a selection! I am leaning towards the POR-20 header/manifold brush on paint. It's like 30 bucks for a pint. It should be much better than the VHT 9 dollar spray on paint I used last time.
Any recommendations on good gaskets? Sounds like if I keep the bolts tight it should be okay. But, I did get these headers used, so a decent gasket should be used, but maybe I don't need to spend 30 bucks on copper gaskets. ?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Germantown, MD
Okay. Also, I'd like to do a simple port match job. There are a million gaskets available with different port sizes. What are the exhaust port dimensions on my heads? (It's all stock, '86 302 F150).
Fasteners are 3/8 X 16, correct? Stainless steel is what I'll get, just want to make sure I get the right thread.
Fasteners are 3/8 X 16, correct? Stainless steel is what I'll get, just want to make sure I get the right thread.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Germantown, MD
I used: POR20 Aluminum brilliant header paint, S/S ARP fasteners, and SCE carbon gaskets. Due to time constraint, I temporarily used two right angle pipes after the headers with glasspacks shooting out the sides. Way too loud, I will have to change it soon. 
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FordIowan
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Jan 12, 2016 01:30 PM
64rednwhite
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Nov 3, 2015 12:29 PM
stonerboys
Ford Truck Parts for Sale
1
Mar 9, 2015 09:21 PM
F-250 WARHORSE
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Jan 19, 2013 10:49 AM
