garydan
1/2 ton status
or is it crap and I should get a better one?
CK5
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Got new hedman elite headers in the mail, do I use the gasket that came with it...
- Thread starter garydan
- Start date
George_Pimpdaddy
1/2 ton status
depends on which gasket your talking about.. When I installed mine I opted to weld the flanges straight to new 2.5" pipe so no gasket there. I seem to have the best luck with the cheap Napa exhaust manifold gaskets that you can drop in instead of removing the bolts all the way.
garydan
1/2 ton status
I was referring to the gasket where the headers meet the heads.
Cornfield creations
1/2 ton status
I hear the copper ones are the best. Plus stage8 locking bolts
I think the copper gaskets are the best. You did pay for the ones you got though, put those with some good locking bolts and they'll last a long time. A fastener or two coming loose is what causes most header gasket failures. A little bit of seepage burns them up quick.
djtejas
1/2 ton status
I used Percy's header gaskets on mine about a year ago...at the head and the collector...
This was my first time using them and I have to say, I think they work great
This was my first time using them and I have to say, I think they work great
79rustyk10
3/4 ton status
I had to pry my hookers off when I used the gaskets that came with those.
when you put them on, get the bolts snug, not tight. start it let it warm up then shut it off and repeat the process all over again. I think I did that 3 or 4 times and no leakes for the year I drove that thing.
when you put them on, get the bolts snug, not tight. start it let it warm up then shut it off and repeat the process all over again. I think I did that 3 or 4 times and no leakes for the year I drove that thing.
I always run standard Fel-Pro exhaust manifold gaskets.
Martin
Martin
A racing buddy of mine doesn't use gaskets and I didn't on my iron manifolds.
CherryK5
1/2 ton status
Yea im not running gaskets either. no leaks so far and im going on 2 years. i just check the bolts with my fluid changes, same with the tranny bolts, and t-case bolts.
k5zombie666
Registered Member
I used the gaskets my hooker headers came with and ended up replacing them. Go to pepboys and buy the mr.gasket ones for 20 bucks. They are pretty decent for the price, or summit racing has the copper headers gaskets for $30 {summit brand).
I used the gaskets that my headman headers came with(head to header), i also coated them with copper permatex. They are on there for 3 years and still dont leak. The collectors on mine tho are 3 inch ball flange, they were loose all the time after wheeling. For those i used grade 8 bolts with all steel cat lock nuts. I chose ball flange over the normal collectors and seems like a wise choice so far but that for a 3inch pipe.
garydan
1/2 ton status
I might try that since I have a tube of that stuff anyway.
I've had the best results with RemFlex gaskets (they are graphite and compress 50%). I've never had a leak since I changed to them.
79rustyk10
3/4 ton status
Im pretty sure that from the general, they didnt have gaskets with the manifolds. Ive had quite a few SBC's with those stupid tin locks on the manifold bolts and none of those have had gaskets between the manifold and the head.
phreddei166
1/2 ton status
I have the elites and got a few years out of those in-the-box gaskets. Whats the worst that can happen ? You buy new gaskets later rather than now.
Went to FelPro and still going strong 2 years later.
Went to FelPro and still going strong 2 years later.
garydan
1/2 ton status
Well the headers are installed with the gaskets that came with it... we'll see.
dudeiwin86
Registered Member
which header part number did you go with?
i remember seeing the other discussion but was all confused about which fits the best in the later model K5s to clear the spring shackle
also,
check your header bolts(to the head) in about a week after a few heat cycles and make sure theyre all snugged up.
most header leaks ive ever dealt with have been from the bolts being a bit loose after the first few heat cycles. when we did header installs at the shop, we'd always have the customer come back a week later and double check the header bolts for him.
i remember seeing the other discussion but was all confused about which fits the best in the later model K5s to clear the spring shackle
also,
check your header bolts(to the head) in about a week after a few heat cycles and make sure theyre all snugged up.
most header leaks ive ever dealt with have been from the bolts being a bit loose after the first few heat cycles. when we did header installs at the shop, we'd always have the customer come back a week later and double check the header bolts for him.
garydan
1/2 ton status
Thanks I'll check the bolts. I bought the 69830's. They clear the shackles great, only issue is the 700r4 linkage, but it can be cleared with a little tube bending. I haven't brought my truck to the exhaust shop yet though I'm sure it won't be an issue as explained by others.
