carefact0rzero
New Member
what's the best header gasket out there? I've been tossing around the idea of using copper ones, anyone have any experience with those? and also, locking header bolts, worth the cost?
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header gaskets?
- Thread starter carefact0rzero
- Start date
AzPete
Well-Known Member
Look here. http://www.stangfix.com/testforum/http://localhost/stangfixp/viewtopic.php?t=8
I did these gaskets and the stage 8 bolts with the c-clips. Works great, very satisfied.
I did these gaskets and the stage 8 bolts with the c-clips. Works great, very satisfied.
Fast68back
Guest
Thats what I used as well. The are much thicker than normal gaskets and seal very well.
blown66
Member
I am also looking to buying some header gaskets. The heads are the edelbrock 202 RPM Aluminum heads. What would be a good set of Header bolts aslo.Picture of the heads.
Last edited by a moderator:
AzPete
Well-Known Member
These are what I used.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Ford-Racing/397/M-9432-A51/10002/-1
http://www.jegs.com/i/Ford-Racing/397/M-9432-A51/10002/-1
carefact0rzero
New Member
picked up a set of the percys aluminum gaskets. we'll see how well they work when they get here.
Fast68back
Guest
I picked mine up at autozone
Opentracker
Active Member
I use the Percys on everything that they make them for. I put them on headers and reg. manifolds. They are the best I have found.
The Gaskets are Percey's Seal 4 Good Lifetime Gaskets
]The Bolts are Percey's Split Lock. These are the 1 inch Stainless, Edelbrock heads easily except 1 inch bolts dirrectly with out anything under the bolt head, allowing a better hold depth.
The aluminum Gasket has a flat side and a cupped side. The flat side goes on the outside to mate with the Header. The Percey's gasket appears to come as a set of 4 , however 2 are pressed together to form 1.
Issues with a 12 point wrench were minimal. Three bolts were non accessible with the 12 point. This would be an issue for this particular Header and a die hard perfectionists would Balk at. I had no problem using Vise Grips, in fact these 12 points made it a breeze to tighten with them.
Next is the Vise grip issue.Issues like these are good to review.3 bolts were tightened with a vise grip. Headers with an aluminum Gasket compress as the bolts are tightened. As the bolts are tightened and compressing the aluminum they create a loosening effect on the bolts in either direction next to them. This effect happens easily if attention is not given to even torquing. The point I wish to make here is that the Vise grips tighten very easily on the three I had to use them on and cause the Bolts next to them to become loose just like the wrenched ones.Removing the spark plug made the job a simple one with the grips.
The following shows a gap prior to tightening and after.
The end result is a tight clean look with gaskets that will not burn and can be used over and over. If Paper type gaskets are used with the Split lock bolts then adjustments are made easy with an Allen Wrench and a 12 point wrench. Some Headers may require creative tool uses. All in all attention was given to the confinement of doing the job in the engine compartment (mine is not in the car yet) so every thing I did was in consideration of fender issues. I has a Small Block and this alone makes my application very good.
On aside Hemikiller from VMF gave me great advice about denting the header to make clearance for the wrench in tight spots. I will use Stage 8 from now on though.
]The Bolts are Percey's Split Lock. These are the 1 inch Stainless, Edelbrock heads easily except 1 inch bolts dirrectly with out anything under the bolt head, allowing a better hold depth.
The aluminum Gasket has a flat side and a cupped side. The flat side goes on the outside to mate with the Header. The Percey's gasket appears to come as a set of 4 , however 2 are pressed together to form 1.
Issues with a 12 point wrench were minimal. Three bolts were non accessible with the 12 point. This would be an issue for this particular Header and a die hard perfectionists would Balk at. I had no problem using Vise Grips, in fact these 12 points made it a breeze to tighten with them.
Next is the Vise grip issue.Issues like these are good to review.3 bolts were tightened with a vise grip. Headers with an aluminum Gasket compress as the bolts are tightened. As the bolts are tightened and compressing the aluminum they create a loosening effect on the bolts in either direction next to them. This effect happens easily if attention is not given to even torquing. The point I wish to make here is that the Vise grips tighten very easily on the three I had to use them on and cause the Bolts next to them to become loose just like the wrenched ones.Removing the spark plug made the job a simple one with the grips.
The following shows a gap prior to tightening and after.
The end result is a tight clean look with gaskets that will not burn and can be used over and over. If Paper type gaskets are used with the Split lock bolts then adjustments are made easy with an Allen Wrench and a 12 point wrench. Some Headers may require creative tool uses. All in all attention was given to the confinement of doing the job in the engine compartment (mine is not in the car yet) so every thing I did was in consideration of fender issues. I has a Small Block and this alone makes my application very good.
On aside Hemikiller from VMF gave me great advice about denting the header to make clearance for the wrench in tight spots. I will use Stage 8 from now on though.
daveSanborn
Active Member
Nice write-up Mark.
The only comments I'd like to add is that instead of denting a $400 header, could you not grind down/alter a $10 12pt. wrench to allow it to fit onto those bolts?
Also, I doubt that those gaskets could be successfully re-used. Once you've "crushed" them they should be discarded as they'll likely not be crushed the same way ever again. We use crush gaskets a LOT in the aircraft world and they are a one-time use item.
The only comments I'd like to add is that instead of denting a $400 header, could you not grind down/alter a $10 12pt. wrench to allow it to fit onto those bolts?
Also, I doubt that those gaskets could be successfully re-used. Once you've "crushed" them they should be discarded as they'll likely not be crushed the same way ever again. We use crush gaskets a LOT in the aircraft world and they are a one-time use item.
AzPete
Well-Known Member
I use the same gaskets and have had them out a couple of times with no issues. They are good.
I have heard good things about Remflex also: http://www.remflex.com/exclusive_features.htm
guruatbol
Always on vacation!
I had a exhaust seal issue with the 67. It is a SBF and Tri-Y headers. I talked to a guy in the Imperial Valley next to John Woods place of Woods Transmission fame. He runs a small repair shop. He was telling me about some Buffalo copper gaskets. He was doing some work on my AC system and I told him to put one in while he was there. I have had that on nor foe many years and no leaks since!
I don't know if it is the best, but it has worked for me.
Mel
I don't know if it is the best, but it has worked for me.
Mel