Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

I'm going to be putting in the new exhaust this weekend but i cant seem to find a good gasket. I need thicker ones .... THAT DONT LEAK! I'm tired of damn header gaskets that blow out. So i bought some locking header bolts and now all i need to know is what you guys think i should use for gaskets.

They need to be thicker .... please if you have some time to point me in the right direction i would be thankfull.

Gaskets are for 350 sbc.

If you have some pics that would kick a$$ ... thank you

-Hart

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

I use copper.....they are thin.....but they won't blow out......and they are re-usable if you have to remove headers for some reason.


A..........

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

I was looking at those also but i think those will be too thin for my set.

This is killin me .... lol

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

I used Percy's Carbon gaskets, they seem to work just fine

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

Do you know about how thick they are?

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

Just go buy a set of exhaust manifold gaskets & your troubles will be over. Thats all Ive ever had any luck with on small blocks...

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

copper is best you can get

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

I would go with copper. I have the regular exhaust manifold gaskets on my Firebird...and they are blown out already. Why do you need think ones? Did you have some mill work done to the outsides of the heads?

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

I like these the best.. always seal tight and last.
http://www.holley.com/99150AFLT.asp

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

No mill work. The headers are round port and they stand out a little bit from the flange so i think thicker ones will be better. But if you guys think otherwise?

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

I've heard copper is good but I haven't tried them yet.

If you are going to use regular gaskets try one of two things.
Either soaking them in water and or vegitable oil first and then put them on.
They'll swell up and adhear to your ports/header primary tubes.

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

there supposed to stand out, its how they get a sealing surface. do you go back and retighten them several times after you get them hot ?

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

Well with the old ones yes. But these are the new ones i am putting on that i want to go thicker with.

I think i am just going to go with some basic gaskets and the the lock nuts and see what happens.

Keep the advice coming though so more people can read this and hopefully get something out of it.

I will post pics this weekend with some sound clips of the open headers before i put the mufflers on :metal:

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

try these
http://www.holley.com/99150FLT.asp

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

it took a while,but I am a believer in copper now.

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

Cut the flanges of the headers and get a set of mainfold gaskets and be done with it.

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

Thank you! Finally someone who agrees with me...

Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better?
 

I agree with CORN & Mudder on this. Cut the flange between each port. (But, not thru any mounting holes!) And get you some cheap A$$ manifold gaskets. Take a quick run and tighten again.

Works great!! Prolly due to less combined flex - each tube can flex individually.

- Dave

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