Header Gasket

[scurley]

I posted a while back, speculating that I had an exhaust leak. I am now seeing some black soot building up on the spark plugs pretty much confirming a leak.

Can you guys make a recommendation on a replacement gasket and installation techniques that will reduce my chances of getting a leak? I am also using the dress up header bolts from my ARP kit. Should I nix these and go with some locking bolts?

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

try percy's gaskets. you can get them through summit. they are considered blowproof and are re-useable. unfortunately i couldn't get them for my engine.

 

[thehueypilot]

Make sure the header bolts are not too long and bottoming out in the hole before the head clamps onto the header flange.

 

[taylor4g63]

Yeah be sure not to overtorque header bolts, i believe they are only suppose to be tourqed to 15-20ft/lbs, but you should probably check on that. You should also retorque them after the first time you get em nice and hot i believe...

I've always just used felpro's with no problems. I had a leak once, loosened all the bolts, retorqued using the same gasket and leak was gone.

 

[brianj5600]

I have had good luck with cheap paper gaskets soaked in water. It softens the gasket so it can compress easier, and conform to any irregularities.

 

[Great68]

I have had good luck with fel-pro's. I was even able to reuse them when I had to remove my headers a couple times.

 

[iskwezm]

I would check the flange with a straight edge make sure its not warped,if you have to,double the gasket to take up any major waves.Try a little hi temp silicone around the ports.