Header Gasket Reccomendations?

[smolski]

I'm having trouble getting my headers to seal to my 340. The steel gaskets that came in my rebuild kit by Fel-Pro didn't work (designed for OEM exhaust manifolds). Then I bought some Mr Gasket Ultra Seals - no luck. I've just ordered the Fel-Pro performance header gaskets (1413). What have you guys had luck with for troublesome headers? Should I try copper? Also, what's the rule on torque for headers? Thanks.

[smolski]

recommendations. woops!

[hemivaliant]

A never fail trick for me to get headers to seal is to soak the gaskets in water for several hours prior to installing them. I'm running the paper type gaskets on 3 of my vehicles right now and none of them leak. These are the gaskets that came with the headers. My '95 Dodge Truck header's have been on it since 1996, my '72 Challenger header's have been on since 1983 and my '68 Plymouth header's have been on since 1995. Of course this will only work if you are using the paper type gaskets. For torque, that's a good question, I'm not sure. I usually just tighten the bolts till it feels right.


krseeger

[rumblefish360]

I have had great luck with the Ultra seals and Fel=Pros. Right now, I'm useing the crap gaskets that came with the Hookers. They havn't leaked yet.
As far as torque go's, I think I read someplace that 15lbs. is all you need. Becareful, to much twisting and you'll warp the flange. Then there junk.

[Ausydad]

I use the Ultra type on my cheap Hedmans and have had no problems. Doesn't even vibrate the bolts loose (wish the rest of the car was like that). I also have a buddy with a SBZ28 that uses the same seals and blows them out every 2 months or so. I think it's a matter of the bolts you're using and whether or not you seal (and, or locktite) them. I used the Mr. Gasket bolt kit.

[Hittman55]

I have seen heads and manifolds that need plained before! Make sure your headers and head is square to each other. If they are perfectly square there would not even be no need for gaskets. I know some old Rolls Royce engines that use no gaskets at all not even head gaskets these engines are machined very precise. I cut my headers in between the front, middle and back ports incase of uneveness. This might help with a good set of gaskets

[J. Sanchez]

I recently installed a set of gibson headers with their gaskets. On the instrutions it says to torque to 30 lbs, however, there was no way I was going to get a socket, let alone a torque wrench on most of the bolts because of the runner bends. So I called gibson and asked how? They said they were like spark plug's, finger tight, then snug them up. I'd say about 12 to 15 lbs. I've found that I had to retighten them every 50 miles for about 200 miles. After that I checked them and they remained tight.

[Tarrbabe]

I had a set of Hookers that leaked so I used the Mr. gaskets and used two sets. Problem solved.

[Toddd]

I put some TTI headers on our small block and used ROL gaskets, and Stage 8 fasteners. No problems or leaks.

[pentastarguy]

great responses,..........just a little tid bit, my 340 uses no gaskets with factory manifolds of course.

[dkn1997]

I doubled the gaskets and cut my flanges and have not looked back!!!

[71 Duster]

I use two set, cover both sides with copper sillicon when dry install, start the motor leave it warm up shut down retight and forget about it. The only way that I found to cure the problem on mine.Would'n last a month without burning the center ones.