Seal-4-Good?!?!?!?!?!?! I'll be the judge of that.....

[Pakrat]

Don't know if any one has tried these or not yet, but I have high hopes and expectations for them. http://www.percyshp.com/seal4good.html

I have always been frustrated by my header leak, but it seems the more folks I've talked too obver the years, the more I find I am not alone. I thought I had tried just about everything but I guess not. While taking a brisk walk-by in the local parts store at lunch today, I came across a display with some NEW stickers on them and noticed these bad boys. They aren't cheap, but well worth it if they quite things down. Anyone tried them yet? I plan to pop at least one side in tonight and see for my self. The manifild set is really weird, unlike the solid plate for the collector it's made up of like 6 ultra thin cupped flanges all stacked on top of each other, looks like it would handle any warpage what so ever. I hope I am not disappointed.

 

[crushnut]

Looks interesting, hopefully they work good. Let us know if they do or not.

 

[mustangdave]

Have you ever heard of Stage 8 locking fasteners? I've used them on two cars with headers and never had a leak at the head; they cannot loosen and let the gasket blow out. I've also used a "soft aluminum" collector flange with good results. I found the collector parts at Advance Auto.

 

[Pakrat]

Will do. I plan to do a quick movie file with the camera for before and after sounds so we can hear the difference. I don't have any place to post the files to so I can link to them, but I figure at least one person who is interested in the results will likely be able to host them for me.

 

[Pakrat]

Have you ever heard of Stage 8 locking fasteners? I've used them on two cars with headers and never had a leak at the head; they cannot loosen and let the gasket blow out. I've also used a "soft aluminum" collector flange with good results. I found the collector parts at Advance Auto.

You know, I have seen some of the lock strap kits in various magazines, but I never could figure out just how they would work. When you look at them they seem like little more than a glorified washer. If they can not loosen, how do you ever get the bolts out? I have yet to have a gasket blow out on me, the problem is they simply do not seal at the back end driver side. If I do not acheive a miracle I'll have to try the locking fastners and go back to my 10 dollar felpro copper backs since I will certainly not keep the $40 ones I just bought if it still makes noise.

 

[oboebrian]

Pak, I'll host them for ya, just email them to oboebrian@[no spam]cox.net (take out the no spam thign of course)

 

[Pakrat]

OK, Oboe, thanks.

It may not be until after this weeknd now though. I am thinking that since I am changing the collector and manifiold gaskets, that I might as well just pull them off completely and clean and paint them like I have wanted to for a while now. I know they say reusable for life but I get this bad feeling of putting them on and compressing them and they wrok, then pulling them later to refinish and suddenly they don't anymore so I am trying to keep my anxious side at bay and do it all at once. I just can't tolerate patience.

 

[cobraii351]

The "stage 8" bolts are a bolt with a ring machined around the bolt head you slip the "C" shapped washer over the bolt head once tight and then hold the washer on with an "E" clip they work awesome for headers. I have also used the Aluminum collector gaskets and with pulling the H pipe off to race a couple of time and dissassembly other times for the last 4 years not problems at all with the same gaskets.

Tim

 

[gp001]

I tried the Percys and didn't have great luck. I then tried Earls Pressure Master seals for the header flange, header collector, and valve covers and they seal great. No leaks. And, you can buy replacement center seals so they are reusable.

http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLine/Products/EPP/EPPSC/HeadSeal.html

 

[Pakrat]

And what do those cost? I hope I did not just waste my money on the Percy's then. Of course performance wise our cars aren't even close to being in the same league, so maybe they'll be fine for me.

 

[wildstang]

I have heard and read that copper gaskets work good. Has anyone tried those, and what is the price?

Sorry about the sidetrack post Pakrat, I hope I didn't upset you, seemed like a good post to ask the question in.

 

[Pakrat]

No not at all, the whole point is to discuss and exchange ideas and experiences and see what works best. I have never tried a full copper if that's what you mean, but I have the felpro's with a one side being copper and they have made no real noticable difference in my application.

 

[bull999999]

Have you ever heard of Stage 8 locking fasteners? I've used them on two cars with headers and never had a leak at the head; they cannot loosen and let the gasket blow out. I've also used a "soft aluminum" collector flange with good results. I found the collector parts at Advance Auto.

My friend and I used them when we installed a set of header on his 98 Mustang GT. He decided to spend the extra money to get them since you can't really access the header bolts without having to tilt the engine up (with init self is a major PITA) and didn't want to risk getting the bolts loosen themselves up. So far, no problems.

 

[gp001]

And what do those cost? I hope I did not just waste my money on the Percy's then. Of course performance wise our cars aren't even close to being in the same league, so maybe they'll be fine for me.

They are very comparable to the Percys. Summit has the 2 listed at:

EAR-29D03A Small Ford: header seals, 260, 289, 302, 351W $36.99

PHP-66014 Header Gaskets, Seal-4-Good, Small Block Ford, Pair $34.95

I had removed and re-installed them twice before needing to buy replacement inner seals (the gray squares). I'm sure if I had had more patience I could have removed them this time without damage, but after having to tear half my car apart last month while in the middle of a move I had little patience left

We also used these on my buddy's vette and they sealed perfectly the first time.

 

[gp001]

Also, I use the Stage 8 locks as well. The bolts can be tightened using a hex wrench, socket, or allen wrench. Then there is a retainer that fits over the bolt and is held on by an E-clipthat snaps into a groove in the bolt head. The retainer rests against the header tube/manifold and prevent the bolt from turning (loosening). To remove, you pop the clip off, remove the retainer, and remove bolt with wrench of choice

EDIT - to add link

http://www.stage8.com/stage_8_1024NET.htm

 

[Pakrat]

Well, It'll still be some time before I can verify the "4-Good" part, but I am very happy to report that the "Seal" part of their name is well earned. I give the percy product 5 dancing bananna's.
I could not believe the difference. I sent the before and after files to Oboe for hosting and linking. I lived with that frickin leak for 4 years!!!!!!!!!! I felt like I was driving a completely different car, I think I even scored a few extra HP out of the deal, definitly don't need that louder sound system I bought now, LOL. I just can't express how pleasant it is to drive now and mash the pedal with an uniterupted exhaust drone.

 

[SadbutTrue]

i have them on my car. They didn't seal the exhaust leak perfectly, though part of that might be the header design. THey did better than paper gaskets though.

They have this really weird jesus freak message in the packages though. Kinda freaked me out lol.

 

[Pakrat]

Yeah, the one inside labeled "important", it didn't freak me out, but I found it way inappropriate. I was raised a strict Catholic but I do not go around trying to convert the world and I know when it is and isn't appropriate. Mixing it with your unrelated business is NOT an appropriate venue. Why is it that the holier someone portrays themselves the less they seem to realize that not everyone follows the same belief in this world and preaching to them is a good way to never get them to understand your point of view. While the message may have contained some interesting facts I was so turned off by it's inclusion that it got crumbled into a ball and went right into the appropriate recycle bin. Yet another tree bites the dust, but I'm sure they think that even if only one soul is saved for every million trees that it is worth it.

 

[crushnut]

Well, It'll still be some time before I can verify the "4-Good" part, but I am very happy to report that the "Seal" part of their name is well earned. I give the percy product 5 dancing bananna's.
I could not believe the difference. I sent the before and after files to Oboe for hosting and linking. I lived with that frickin leak for 4 years!!!!!!!!!! I felt like I was driving a completely different car, I think I even scored a few extra HP out of the deal, definitly don't need that louder sound system I bought now, LOL. I just can't express how pleasant it is to drive now and mash the pedal with an uniterupted exhaust drone.

Good to hear Thanks

 

[65fsbkhipo]

Will do. I plan to do a quick movie file with the camera for before and after sounds so we can hear the difference. I don't have any place to post the files to so I can link to them, but I figure at least one person who is interested in the results will likely be able to host them for me.

Pak, send me the files and I'll have a ftp site ready for you. Or at least a link where everyone can hear them.

EDIT: Ooops, I read this post tooooo late.