no more header gaskets

[78chevstepside]

updating to ball and socket. headmen does not sell 3" to 2.5" collector to pipe. they only sell 2.5" to 2.5 ". they sell each side separately . seems the part store misled me on that for some reason. Then had to purchase a 3" to 2.5" deducer. Extra weld . modified the crossover . no more running over the top of the crossover.

[MikeB]

I've always wanted to try the ball & socket setup. However, I have to say that I haven't had a collector flange leak (in 3 different vehicles) since switching to soft aluminum gaskets many years ago. And I have even re-used them, sometimes twice.

[78chevstepside]

I have ball and socket style on my el camino and my son's k5 blazer . I really like . Much easier to modify old ones then buy new . Seems 40 dollars a side plus 19 dollars a piece for reducer is a bit steep . Less work then buying new . Last set of Hedman I put on had to first remove the crappy paint then repaint with high temperature . Next the bolt holes were off center . Had to burr out holes to fit . I inquired to hedmen about why they paint there products with low temperature paint and about the bolt hole issue. .

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by 78chevstepside

I inquired to hedmen about why they paint there products with low temperature paint and about the bolt hole issue. .

They paint them only to keep them from rusting during storage and shipment. You know, they could at least spend another $3 and use high temp paint.

Funny, but even their expensive "coated" Elite headers aren't much better than paint, and nowhere near as good as decreasing, scuffing, priming, and painting them yourself. For my new bare steel headers, I used 2 coats of VHT 1200° paint over 2 coats of KBS Coatings XTC silicon zinc primer. The headers still look good after 4-5 months, even with the truck parked outside in the weather.

[78chevstepside]

i converted my truck to a v-8 in about 1998. i used my dads truck as a donor. my headers were on the donor. i painted them in 98. thinks paint makes them last . truck is a sunny day truck and been sitting in the garage since 92

[Nick_R_23]

Just FYI, something else you can use that is very similar to the ball and socket type connection is a product called "Header Buddies". These fit right into the collector and secure with the 3 bolt flange that comes stock with most headers. It's a great option for those who don't have a welder or are not wanting to cut their headers. Either way is great and a huge step up from gaskets IMO.