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Header gaskets

scottsdale86

scottsdale86

1/2 ton status
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San Bernardino ca
I have the Edelbrock emissions legal ceramic coated headers i have on my 86 k10. They constantly have an exhaust leak at the head and i have tried tightening them down to spec and retightening them after awhile but nothing seems to work. Does anybody know of a good header gasket to seal these things up for good? I just replaced the exhaust from the header back with magnaflow cat, muffler and tip but i cant enjoy it due to the annoying ticking.
 
very curious also since I have the same set
I have some copper gasket stuff from autozone, same squeeze tube as my gray gasket maker

Scottsdale: In what orientation did you use the supplied washers? Hardened vs. silver ones.
 
Look for Remflex gaskets. I used them once and they worked well. Only problem is that they are a one time use and a bit expensive. If you have a warped flange or other sealing problem, they are great for sealing the gap.
 
I've had good success using Permatex Ultra Copper with new gaskets. This goes back to my car building days, my K5 just has manifolds.

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I'll check when i get home since the previous owner installed them. Looks like he used Mr. gasket gaskets which i know are prone to leaking but i am kinda disappointed in the quality of these headers considering the price they want for them. He put them on in march of this year and i have had nothing but issues with them. Biggest being the difficulty in changing plugs and now this annoying exhaust leak. I was thinkiing of installing these http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PHP-66011
 
I have used that stuff in the past with my 1988 C1500 when i put headers on that and it worked fine for a little while but eventually leaked. I think that was just the headers though. (cheap no name headers)
 
Mr. Gasket CopperSEAL Exhaust Gasket

Install those and be done with it. Have had a set on mine now going on 5 yrs without an issue.
 
I just use the stock GM exhaust manifold gaskets you'd use on the factory cast manifolds, tighten them down decently once, metal side up against the head, never had any leaks yet.:dunno:
 
A set of Remflex gaskets and you will never have another leak. These gaskets are made from graphite and they compress 50% so they will seal the worst warped flange possible. Been using them ever since I first tried them and have never had to replace another gasket because of a leak.
 
Ended up going with the percy's dead soft aluminum ones because they were local and i want to get this done this week. I'll keep you all posted.
 
Make sure to go around and snug up all the bolts every now and again, this will help even the cheap paper gaskets last a few years.
 
scottsdale86 said:
Ended up going with the percy's dead soft aluminum ones because they were local and i want to get this done this week. I'll keep you all posted.
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Good choice! I have run them myself for several years, no leaks or bolts loosening, I have even re-used them and not had a problem! :waytogo:
 
Well replaced the gaske and although it quited it down some it didn't silience it completely. I think i have a crack at the flange between #4-6 ports. Seemed my old gasket had alot of soot there. Was expecting it at the #8 port but it was clean. These are the edelbrock ti-tech coated headers. Does anybody know edelbrock return policy? I might return these to edelbrock to see what they say.
 
USSkoval said:
Make sure to go around and snug up all the bolts every now and again, this will help even the cheap paper gaskets last a few weeks.
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When i installed the Flowtech's on my truck, i installed, drove, snugged, and blew out w/in 1000miles. :doah:
 
dhcomp said:
When i installed the Flowtech's on my truck, i installed, drove, snugged, and blew out w/in 1000miles. :doah:
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The brand of headers make a difference too:waytogo:

I don't know their quality these days, but I remember seeing a set of Flowtechs over 10 years ago that had horrible flanges. The best gaskets in the world wouldn't seal those puppies up. I'm sure the quality is better now though, or they would be out of business.
 
USSkoval said:
The brand of headers make a difference too:waytogo:

I don't know their quality these days, but I remember seeing a set of Flowtechs over 10 years ago that had horrible flanges. The best gaskets in the world wouldn't seal those puppies up. I'm sure the quality is better now though, or they would be out of business.
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They were recommended by Scott, so if they were good enough for scott, they are more than good enough for me!

No leaks whatsoever after installing the Remflex gaskets.
 
dhcomp said:
They were recommended by Scott, so if they were good enough for scott, they are more than good enough for me!

No leaks whatsoever after installing the Remflex gaskets.
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Fair enough!

Were there any small leaks before your gaskets blew out? Just wondering.
 
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