Header and Valve cover gaskets - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Spoof · 03-11-2003, 11:17 PM

Hi, I have a definite leak in my header gasket and need to replace it, since it's aftermarket do I hunt down the manufacturer's gaskets through the auto supply or what? I'm not even sure who made em' but I'm sure I can find a stamp somewhere if I hunt around.
Same goes for my Moroso bb valve covers, do they need to be moroso gaskets?
Thanks for any help.

72shadetree · 03-11-2003, 11:34 PM

on the covers i like the rubber ones and on the header gaskets i use the copper ones a little bit higher but i think its well worth it they dont have to be moroso you should be able to get em at your local parts store if not try summit or jegs

Longhorn Man · 03-12-2003, 12:16 AM

You don't need special gaskets for the valve cover gaskets, but like mentioned before..the rubber ones are liked by alot of us for many reasons.
As for your header gaskets, again, you don't need anything special...and there are many ways to tackle this.
I use stock manifold gaskets for the headers where they bolt to the head...been doing this for years and have had ZERO problems. I have enver even had to retourque my header bolts....but make sure you check them after some driving though...most ppl have to tighten them.
As for the collectors, i run the dead soft alluminum ones. These things ae awsome. they have been on 2 sets of headers, and there is no tellin how many times i have unbolted the exhaust from the headers...still going leak free. Well worth the 30 or so bucks.

*Piston* · 03-12-2003, 12:30 AM

Andy, when I moved the 355cu over to my '72 truck a few months ago I tried the stock gaskets designed for the cast iron manifolds. I have to tell ya man, that did the trick. I've had a hell of a time finding header gaskets that had the correct footprint for the head AND the header, nothing matched up and would burn through the small area's.

I used some Acousti-seal and stock slip in gaskets with my e-clips and have had no trouble. Hell I have plenty of this type of gasket laying around from all the years of wrenching lol. It never occured to me to use those.

Thanks for the tip!!!!

Longhorn Man · 03-12-2003, 12:40 AM

LOL. It was passed on to me from an old man hot rodder neighbor of mine. I was installing the headers and was cussin up a storm tryign to install the header and the big stupid gasket by my self. He came up to help and asked what the $(#()*%&#$& that gasket was for. He walked back to his trailer and came back with them and told me to throw that fansy POS gasket away.
Like you said...works like a charm.

beau396 · 03-12-2003, 12:42 AM

I agree with using stock exhaust manifold gaskets, just make sure you tighten them from the center out. Since headers warp so easily. You might want to check, and replace if needed, the collector gaskets while you are at it. If you see blow-by, black soot, around the collectors then it is time for them as well. Bring one of your old collector gaskets to the parts store to match it up. Or measure bolt hole to bolt hole. Most small blocks use the 1203 mr gasket brand gaskets.

*Piston* · 03-12-2003, 12:43 AM

The thing I liked the most... If it ever did burn through one, loosen the bolts and slip a new one in. No need to remove all the bolts and header to replace the paper gasket.

72shadetree · 03-12-2003, 01:40 AM

ill have to try that

longhornmail that gauge dash is awesome the wife keeps telling me to put it up and quit looking at it tell i need it lol

bobs409 · 03-12-2003, 08:31 AM

Im another that likes manifold gaskets. They work great!

I also smear some RTV on both sides of the gaskets (no matter what type you use) to help seal it up. This will help avoid blowouts.

For valve covers, I always use the cork type and the cheapest ones I can find. I think I got a set for under $3.00 at J.C. Whitney once!

They were just as good as the $12.00 sets in the parts stores.

*racedvl* · 03-12-2003, 09:10 AM

I used the manifold gaskets on my 86 gmc, per Andy's tip, and 6 months, and NO problems yet.

I have tightened the headers once though.

Spoof · 03-12-2003, 06:21 PM

Much obliged for the advice!

Longhorn Man · 03-13-2003, 01:15 AM

shade...I know the feeling. I had my white inst panel in the living room for about 3 weeks till the wife threatened to THROW it in the basement!
I got it installed in the truck now.

03-11-2003, 11:17 PM	#1
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	Header and Valve cover gaskets Hi, I have a definite leak in my header gasket and need to replace it, since it's aftermarket do I hunt down the manufacturer's gaskets through the auto supply or what? I'm not even sure who made em' but I'm sure I can find a stamp somewhere if I hunt around. Same goes for my Moroso bb valve covers, do they need to be moroso gaskets? Thanks for any help. __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

03-11-2003, 11:34 PM	#2
72shadetree KEEP ON TRUCKING Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: martinsville va Posts: 2,563	on the covers i like the rubber ones and on the header gaskets i use the copper ones a little bit higher but i think its well worth it they dont have to be moroso you should be able to get em at your local parts store if not try summit or jegs __________________ 72 cheyenne 2wd lwb 71 k20 sons bassett va

03-12-2003, 12:42 AM	#6
beau396 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: oak harbor wa Posts: 61	I agree with using stock exhaust manifold gaskets, just make sure you tighten them from the center out. Since headers warp so easily. You might want to check, and replace if needed, the collector gaskets while you are at it. If you see blow-by, black soot, around the collectors then it is time for them as well. Bring one of your old collector gaskets to the parts store to match it up. Or measure bolt hole to bolt hole. Most small blocks use the 1203 mr gasket brand gaskets. __________________ '67 C10 short box fleet side wood bed small rear window frame off restoration. 396BB,Th400, ps, pwr disc 5 lug, posi 3.07, 2000 Suburban 60/40 pwr seats, 2.5" front drop 4" rear, powder coated running gear.

03-12-2003, 01:40 AM	#8
72shadetree KEEP ON TRUCKING Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: martinsville va Posts: 2,563	ill have to try that longhornmail that gauge dash is awesome the wife keeps telling me to put it up and quit looking at it tell i need it lol __________________ 72 cheyenne 2wd lwb 71 k20 sons bassett va

03-12-2003, 08:31 AM	#9
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Im another that likes manifold gaskets. They work great! I also smear some RTV on both sides of the gaskets (no matter what type you use) to help seal it up. This will help avoid blowouts. For valve covers, I always use the cork type and the cheapest ones I can find. I think I got a set for under $3.00 at J.C. Whitney once! They were just as good as the $12.00 sets in the parts stores. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

03-12-2003, 12:16 AM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	You don't need special gaskets for the valve cover gaskets, but like mentioned before..the rubber ones are liked by alot of us for many reasons. As for your header gaskets, again, you don't need anything special...and there are many ways to tackle this. I use stock manifold gaskets for the headers where they bolt to the head...been doing this for years and have had ZERO problems. I have enver even had to retourque my header bolts....but make sure you check them after some driving though...most ppl have to tighten them. As for the collectors, i run the dead soft alluminum ones. These things ae awsome. they have been on 2 sets of headers, and there is no tellin how many times i have unbolted the exhaust from the headers...still going leak free. Well worth the 30 or so bucks.

03-12-2003, 12:30 AM	#4
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,301	Andy, when I moved the 355cu over to my '72 truck a few months ago I tried the stock gaskets designed for the cast iron manifolds. I have to tell ya man, that did the trick. I've had a hell of a time finding header gaskets that had the correct footprint for the head AND the header, nothing matched up and would burn through the small area's. I used some Acousti-seal and stock slip in gaskets with my e-clips and have had no trouble. Hell I have plenty of this type of gasket laying around from all the years of wrenching lol. It never occured to me to use those. Thanks for the tip!!!!

03-12-2003, 12:40 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	LOL. It was passed on to me from an old man hot rodder neighbor of mine. I was installing the headers and was cussin up a storm tryign to install the header and the big stupid gasket by my self. He came up to help and asked what the $(#()*%&#$& that gasket was for. He walked back to his trailer and came back with them and told me to throw that fansy POS gasket away. Like you said...works like a charm.

03-12-2003, 12:43 AM	#7
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,301	The thing I liked the most... If it ever did burn through one, loosen the bolts and slip a new one in. No need to remove all the bolts and header to replace the paper gasket.

03-12-2003, 09:10 AM	#10
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	I used the manifold gaskets on my 86 gmc, per Andy's tip, and 6 months, and NO problems yet. I have tightened the headers once though.

03-12-2003, 06:21 PM	#11
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	Much obliged for the advice! __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

03-13-2003, 01:15 AM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	shade...I know the feeling. I had my white inst panel in the living room for about 3 weeks till the wife threatened to THROW it in the basement! I got it installed in the truck now.



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