Header gasket type?

coolblue65 · May 9, 2007

Just curious what brand and type of material everyone is using for their header gaskets?

I need to order some to get the motor back in next week.

86bluecobra · May 9, 2007

I like felpro gaskets myself. The biggest ket to making any header gasket last is stage eight header bolts. They have a locking mechanism on them that won't allow them to back off and allow for blowing the header gasket.

D.Hearne · May 9, 2007

I'll be damned if I can recall the brand name, but the aluminum sandwich types are hard to beat. Reusable but will run you $40 for a set from your local Autozone. The fiber types last too, as long as you keep the bolts tight, I don't see how locking types help there, the gaskets shrink making the bolts loosen.

GoinBroke · May 10, 2007

I have had recent success with both the Mr Gasket Ultraseals and the aluminum ones mentioned above. I used standard fasteners but do not forget to tighten as needed the first 10 or so heat cycles. Also do this ightening check with the engine hot. Good luck.

68stang351 · May 10, 2007

D.Hearne said:
I'll be damned if I can recall the brand name, but the aluminum sandwich types are hard to beat. Reusable but will run you $40 for a set from your local Autozone. The fiber types last too, as long as you keep the bolts tight, I don't see how locking types help there, the gaskets shrink making the bolts loosen.

Percy's! I'm using them too and I love them. They are definitely worth the money. I'm using their collector gaskets too.

ron67fb · May 10, 2007

I used Earl "Pressure Master" gaskets, they're aluminum framed with a fiber insert. I installed them with the Stage 8 locking nuts but I didn't install the locks because I lost/broke most of them. Tightened them after install and haven't touched them since. That was, oh I'd say 6 or 7 years ago because my younger daughter wasn't born yet.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=EAR%2D29D03AERL&N=700+400041+300501+4294908331+4294840071+115&autoview=sku
The "no need to retorque after assembly" in the description is accurate, in my experience.

coolblue65 · May 10, 2007

I just ordered a set of the Percy's Aluminum style from summit.

Thanks!

iskwezm · May 10, 2007

The stage 8 are a pain in the a$$ with my headers, the locks dont fit right, so i ditched them.

D.Hearne · May 10, 2007

68stang351 said:
Percy's! I'm using them too and I love them. They are definitely worth the money. I'm using their collector gaskets too.

Yea, that's the ones. For some reason the name just doesn't stick with me. And I've used two sets now.

bdepedro · May 11, 2007

I'm in the process right now of replacing my gaskets. Jegs recommended Percy's Carbon gaskets. They are not reusable but I was told are the best in terms of leak provention.

I was also told to use blue Lock-Tite on the header bolts but is that wise assuming the carbon gaskets also compress/shrink and should be re-torqued for a period following installation?

57fairlane · May 11, 2007

hahaha . . .

I am much too cheap. I just run straight orange RTV; never had a problem.

HistoricMustang · May 11, 2007

GoinBroke said:
I have had recent success with both the Mr Gasket Ultraseals and the aluminum ones mentioned above. I used standard fasteners but do not forget to tighten as needed the first 10 or so heat cycles. Also do this ightening check with the engine hot. Good luck.

And, if you use stainless bolts check them more often and on a regular basis.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang

bnickel · May 11, 2007

i used the Percy's sandwiched aluminum and also their aluminum collector gaskets and installed them about 5 years ago when i put the engine in the car. i have rechecked the torque several times and have never had to retighten them, not even once. they are excellent gaskets and i also used the cheap header bolts that came with my hedman headers.

GoinBroke · May 12, 2007

bnickel,
That matched my experience with them also. The first time torqueing of the bolts took more time and force than standard gaskets but that was due to having to compress the aluminum. They have stayed tight ever since but the standard gaskets need to be checked and tightened periodicaly in my present case.
I had one header in which I went through two gaskets resulting in leaks but since using the Percys It is leak free so far.

Header gasket type?

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