Header Gaskets

[hoodride]

I've got a carb'd 454 in my blazer that eats header gaskets like crazy. I know there's an exhaust leak on the passenger side right now and I'm tired of replacing these. I'm running hooker headers if that helps, but which gaskets should I get?

Also some other questions: How often should these be replaced? Should I use any kind of sealant in combination with the gasket? I've paid someone to do this in the past, but I'm going to tackle it this time and hopefully solve whatever the problem is.

edit: Could it be that my headers are warped or something?

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

the headers could possibly be warped, but i would try a set of the soft aluminum gaskets first, i've heard people say they used them with good results

 

[G-Force8]

Are you using the cheap paper gaskets? I recommend looking into Remflex header gaskets. They're more expensive,but worth it.

Hooker and Hedman headers are known to warp though

 

[mdm365]

gaskets

I had the same issue with my small block and used these click back in 2001 and have had no leaks what so ever.

Mike

 

[rob h]

There are lots of gaskets out there it depends on your budget, a friend of mine used stock single gaskets with permatex copper on em and he gets a long time out of them, another uses mr gaskets with the copper permatex on em and he never has problems, I have the flowtech aluminum gaskets on my 350 and they work good.

 

[dyeager535]

The stock felpro exhaust gaskets (paper/metal composition looks like) have worked fine for me.

Cheap/thin header flanges will warp and make some of the more expensive solutions probably your only choice.

 

[hoodride]

Any idea as to which exact gaskets I'll need? Are they fairly universal or do I need to find a specific set for my setup? I'm pretty sure the ones in there are just the cheap paper ones so I'm going to upgrade to a thicker, high quality set and throw some of that copper permatex stuff on there that rob h was talking about

 

[Keitha]

http://www.remflex.com/
I am running these RemFlex gaskets and they are great, a bit expensive but work great. Guaranteed to not leak. They are 1/8" thick pure carbon graphite that compress to 1/16" when you torque the headers to the block. The compression of the gasket helps maintain the bolt torque so they do not back out. The gasket material has a 3,000* burn pointe, so you will not burn these out.

 

[dyeager535]

They are just fel pro exhaust manifold gaskets, paper on one side, dimpled metal on the other.

 

[cuervo]

Back when I ran headers I used to just double up the crappy ones that came in the box. They never burned out on me like that.

 

[rob h]

when i put my headmans on they were missing the gaskets, i used the stock cheapy manifold gaskets and some copper pematex and they never leaked yet... they sent me the right gaskets but i wont change them till i have 2... some people dont like the pematex idea but it worked 4 me..

 

[broncoman6524]

You may need either round or oval port gaskets, but that you can tell by the header tubes at the flange.

I hate the paper gaskets, seal for a week. I used a set of thin coppers, for maybe 6months no problem, swapped engines still no problem.

This time when I put the motor in a 3rd time I'm using the soft aluminum ones. I like these, seal great.

 

[tipoil]

The stock felpro exhaust gaskets (paper/metal composition looks like( have worked fine for me.

what he said!!!

going on 5 yr on a 400 whit headman header...... no leak!!