Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JHART · 10-04-2007, 08:08 PM

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

DieselEater · 10-04-2007, 08:37 PM

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..........

JHART · 10-04-2007, 08:39 PM

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

This is killin me .... lol

1968SWBBigBlock · 10-04-2007, 08:51 PM

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

JHART · 10-04-2007, 09:03 PM

Do you know about how thick they are?

corn · 10-04-2007, 09:13 PM

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...

BCOWANWHEELS · 10-04-2007, 09:14 PM

copper is best you can get

caminokid · 10-04-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corn

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...

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?

1fun71 · 10-04-2007, 09:31 PM

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

JHART · 10-04-2007, 09:31 PM

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?

bryanw1968 · 10-04-2007, 09:33 PM

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.

BCOWANWHEELS · 10-04-2007, 10:02 PM

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 ?

JHART · 10-04-2007, 10:18 PM

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

1fun71 · 10-04-2007, 10:27 PM

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

jamesi20 · 10-05-2007, 01:32 AM

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

Mudder · 10-05-2007, 03:32 AM

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

corn · 10-05-2007, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudder

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

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

wedgemon · 10-05-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudder

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

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

Like this...

10-04-2007, 08:08 PM	#1
JHART 1972 Shorty Owner Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Stationed in Cali , born and raised in PHX Arizona. Posts: 796	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 __________________ 1972 Chevy Shorty C-10- Project In Work http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ATT1721941.jpg- New Project Last edited by JHART; 10-04-2007 at 08:08 PM.

10-04-2007, 08:37 PM	#2
DieselEater Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Trinidad, Colorado Posts: 642	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.......... __________________ 69' 3/4 4X4 470ci BBC 700 HP.... D60/14bolt 205/465 http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndid=127691959

10-04-2007, 08:39 PM	#3
JHART 1972 Shorty Owner Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Stationed in Cali , born and raised in PHX Arizona. Posts: 796	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 __________________ 1972 Chevy Shorty C-10- Project In Work http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ATT1721941.jpg- New Project

10-04-2007, 08:51 PM	#4
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better? I used Percy's Carbon gaskets, they seem to work just fine __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree

10-04-2007, 09:03 PM	#5
JHART 1972 Shorty Owner Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Stationed in Cali , born and raised in PHX Arizona. Posts: 796	Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better? Do you know about how thick they are? __________________ 1972 Chevy Shorty C-10- Project In Work http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ATT1721941.jpg- New Project

10-04-2007, 09:13 PM	#6
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	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...

10-04-2007, 09:14 PM	#7
BCOWANWHEELS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KINGSPORT,TN. Posts: 3,035	Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better? copper is best you can get __________________ I BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16

10-04-2007, 09:31 PM	#9
1fun71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 119	Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better? I like these the best.. always seal tight and last. http://www.holley.com/99150AFLT.asp

10-04-2007, 09:33 PM	#11
bryanw1968 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Leander, Texas Posts: 850	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.

10-04-2007, 10:02 PM	#12
BCOWANWHEELS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KINGSPORT,TN. Posts: 3,035	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 ? __________________ I BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16

10-04-2007, 10:18 PM	#13
JHART 1972 Shorty Owner Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Stationed in Cali , born and raised in PHX Arizona. Posts: 796	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 __________________ 1972 Chevy Shorty C-10- Project In Work http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ATT1721941.jpg- New Project

10-04-2007, 10:27 PM	#14
1fun71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 119	Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better? try these http://www.holley.com/99150FLT.asp

10-05-2007, 01:32 AM	#15
jamesi20 Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NORTHEAST OHIO Posts: 493	Re: Header Gasket advice - Which ones are better? it took a while,but I am a believer in copper now.

10-05-2007, 03:32 AM	#16
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	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.

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