Header gasket help.......?

[woody96]

OK, ........need some help here since I am a "Barney Rubble" about some things mechanical.......I recently got a very nice 84 c10, warmed over 305 with headers (no idea what kind---but they are long tube), and cam, duals....and, the usual is happening,.....the awful "puff-puff" of a leaking header gasket.....passenger side....I have at least determined it is the header gasket and not the collector gasket.

Are these easy to change out? Any suggestions to make it as painless as possible? Re-tighten in a particular order to get a good seal? Particular brand or composition of gasket to get that'll last longer..........Thanks......I have gotten GREAT advice here on some other things and looking forward to your experience here........from all of you pro's around here

[Bowed]

First have you retightened the bolts and also checked that the header is not warped ? Those that I have changed were easy , just backing off the 2 end bolts slightly , then removing all the bolts in between and then slide the gasket up and out without removing the header .the best types of replacement gaskets are copper or soft aluminum and several types of superior locking hardware are available . When I tighten mine I start at the center and work to the ends .

[woody96]

Originally Posted by Bowed

First have you retightened the bolts and also checked that the header is not warped ? Those that I have changed were easy , just backing off the 2 end bolts slightly , then removing all the bolts in between and then slide the gasket up and out without removing the header .the best types of replacement gaskets are copper or soft aluminum and several types of superior locking hardware are available . When I tighten mine I start at the center and work to the ends .

Bolts are tight...I don't know how to tell if the header is warped...I am assuming it is not....I will try as you suggest and get a good gasket and work from the inside out......

[MylilBowTie]

You can warp them form over tightening. Do you see any black soot around the collector?

[bluex]

I'm using the stock exhaust manifold gaskets that came in my rebuild kit on mine. They are metal coated or something. Much cheaper than the aluminum/copper ones and seem to be working just as well. I'm using aluminum collector gaskets also with deformed (the very end of it is oval instead of round) locking nuts so they wont back off. No leaks so far and I've put maybe 2k on it since june of last year. I know thats not much, but I cant afford gas for it at 215/gal.

[woody96]

Originally Posted by MylilBowTie

You can warp them form over tightening. Do you see any black soot around the collector?

Nope sure don't.......what is the typical tightening ft/lbs for headers? Handtighten?

[updatelee]

Ive got a cheap set of headers, was buring out paper header gaskets once a year and paper collector gaskets once every six months. Ive switched to dead-soft aluminum gaskets and never touched them in 2 years.

Dont waste your money on paper, spend 2x more and get the dead soft ones. Most places if they dont allready have them can order them.

[woody96]

Boy, thanks all! Good scoop!!!