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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
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Copper Header Gaskets

  • Thread starter Thread starter diablopony
  • Start date Start date Jul 10, 2009

diablopony

Member
Jun 10, 2003
62
0
7
Clayton, Ca
Jul 10, 2009
#1
  • Jul 10, 2009
  • #1
I replaced my blown header gaskets with Mr. Gasket copper gaskets and they leak worse than the old ones. Any tricks to the copper ones before I replace them with the good old Felpros?
 

tx65coupe

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
1,551
1
37
Jul 11, 2009
#2
  • Jul 11, 2009
  • #2
Try Percy's seal for good gaskets. These seem to work well. I have them on my car. I also know a few others that have them and have no complaints. You can get them from Summit and probably Jegs.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Jul 11, 2009
#3
  • Jul 11, 2009
  • #3
X 2 on Percy's. I've got em on both my 302 and 331. Zero leaks. The set on the 302 have been reused three times now.
 

diablopony

Member
Jun 10, 2003
62
0
7
Clayton, Ca
Jul 11, 2009
#4
  • Jul 11, 2009
  • #4
I'm ordering a set today. Are the Percy's High Performance 66014 Exhaust Gaskets, Header, Seal-4-Good, Aluminum, Square Port, Ford, Small Block the ones you are using? I have the Ford Racing X303 heads, so wanted to be sure. Also, what do you think about the Percy's header bolts? I've got ARPs, but they seem to back out almost every time I drive the car. Thanks again for the great information.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Jul 11, 2009
#5
  • Jul 11, 2009
  • #5
diablopony said:
I replaced my blown header gaskets with Mr. Gasket copper gaskets and they leak worse than the old ones. Any tricks to the copper ones before I replace them with the good old Felpros?
Click to expand...

I had the same problem. Worst investment I ever made. I'll never buy those again.
 
B

bnickel

Founding Member
Aug 21, 2002
5,640
3
77
lubbock, texas
Jul 11, 2009
#6
  • Jul 11, 2009
  • #6
i also have the percy's seal 4 good gaskets on the header flanges and at the collectors as well and they do not leak at all, best investment i've ever made in header gaskets. i've used paper gaaskets, both dry and soaked in water before installation, copper gaskets, fel-pro, mr gasket, etc, etc and RTV alone and in combo with paper gaskets and/or copper gaskets an the percy's aluminum seal 4 good gaskets are hands down the best.....
 
1

10secgoal

Active Member
Dec 1, 2003
2,801
3
49
San Diego
Jul 11, 2009
#7
  • Jul 11, 2009
  • #7
Did you check to see how the header matched up to the port. Some are oval shaped and a real muther to seal without the correct gasket.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Jul 12, 2009
#8
  • Jul 12, 2009
  • #8
diablopony said:
I'm ordering a set today. Are the Percy's High Performance 66014 Exhaust Gaskets, Header, Seal-4-Good, Aluminum, Square Port, Ford, Small Block the ones you are using? I have the Ford Racing X303 heads, so wanted to be sure. Also, what do you think about the Percy's header bolts? I've got ARPs, but they seem to back out almost every time I drive the car. Thanks again for the great information.
Click to expand...

My headers are square port, you want the gaskets to match the header port. I use plain jane 3/8" headed header bolts. You Do need to go back occasionally and tighten them again. But not as often as with paper gaskets. I think I've had to do this once or twice with Percy's.
 

68stang351

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
850
9
39
Savoy TX
Jul 12, 2009
#9
  • Jul 12, 2009
  • #9
Percy's gaskets are the way to go. I have had these on my 68 for about 5 years now, and have had zero leaks. My header bolts even seem to stay tight now also. I guess because the gaskets are putting tension on the bolts because it's being compressed, but I check them occasionally and they are always tight.
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Jul 12, 2009
#10
  • Jul 12, 2009
  • #10
I just used RTV on my headers and they never leaked a bit. When you tighten the header bolts, its important that you start from the center and move outward. Tightening them from front to back or back to front will lead to an imporoper seal and/or the bolts backing out on you.
 

tx65coupe

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
1,551
1
37
Jul 12, 2009
#11
  • Jul 12, 2009
  • #11
Rusty is correct about that.
 

diablopony

Member
Jun 10, 2003
62
0
7
Clayton, Ca
Jul 18, 2009
#12
  • Jul 18, 2009
  • #12
I installed the Percy's today and they rock! The copper ones were leaking out of 5 ports. What a mess. My car sounds a 1,000Xs better without the tick/tick of the exhaust leaks. Thanks for the great advice.
 

Frankies65

Founding Member
Oct 10, 2001
275
0
17
Bucks County PA
Jul 18, 2009
#13
  • Jul 18, 2009
  • #13
Yeah - coppers suck. The Percy's are awesome despite the cost!
 
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