Header Gasket

S

scurley

New Member

Sep 30, 2004

21

0

0

May 24, 2005

#1

• May 24, 2005

• #1

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?

 

G

Gud T.B. Blown

Member

Dec 9, 2004

583

1

18

May 24, 2005

#2

• May 24, 2005

• #2

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

Active Member

Feb 25, 2004

1,084

0

37

Medina,Tennessee

May 24, 2005

#3

• May 24, 2005

• #3

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

 

taylor4g63

Founding Member

May 6, 2002

921

0

0

Asheboro, NC

May 24, 2005

#4

• May 24, 2005

• #4

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

Active Member

Sep 19, 2003

1,964

2

39

Middle TN

May 24, 2005

#5

• May 24, 2005

• #5

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

Founding Member

May 16, 2002

691

0

16

Victoria BC

May 24, 2005

#6

• May 24, 2005

• #6

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

10 Year Member

May 24, 2005

4,159

20

79

Rowland Heights,California

May 24, 2005

#7

• May 24, 2005

• #7

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.