Junk Header Gaskets!!! Now, opinions needed.

doesnt anyone have an opinion on my situation?

 

http://www.watsoneng.com/watson.html

Devon

 

John-

what's the exhaust side of your heads like? maybe a little dinged up, perhaps even a tad warped from 30 years of heat cycles?

My iron heads needed 0.020" shaved to make the exhaust side flat again. they had leaked with stock manifolds and blew stock gaskets even then. Shaving the heads on the exhaust side was about 40 bucks at the time. Header install was easier later on, made gasket replacement a snap, too

I've gone through a set of white composite gaskets per summer for years. There is a heavy duty composite with a steel mesh in it, but I've only ever seen it in sheets, and cutting it- well you'd have to go to a pro

 

I do.

Tightening header bolts is now your job It's normal on my car and on every other I suspect. Once a week, I tighten any that are loose

 

They blow out because you need to re torqe several times till they cinch in. I blew out the cheapo whites after a few years. Blew out those stock ones with the metal after a few months. The Poston Silvers are good. But you have to re torque also.

 

chris thanks for the reply. but my question still stands if my headers came loose did they blow the gasket or is the gasket still good or should i just replace them because there isnt any real way of knowing if they are good or not with out looking at them? thanks curtis

 

Put flat washers under the bolt heads and the bolts will not loosen up. Mike D.

 

There's a sure fire way to tell if a header gasket is blown

Start the motor and listen :grin: Wish I'd kept my '73 Riv

 

I agree with the others. If bolts are/were loose, chances are the damage is done. Exhaust gas will kill gaskets like a cutting torch.

Devon

 

thanks for the reply's. looks like ill be replacing the header gaskets as well as the rear main seal, intake manifold gasket,timing cover gasket, water pump gasket, rebuilding the oil pump with boost plate and shim kit and adj. oil regulator, oil pan gasket, and front main seal!

 

Curtis, I have used "Breslin" split-lock header bolts #200-077, with Fel Pro performance gaskets #1479 for the headers, and #2003 for my 3 1/2 inch collectors. I have not had to tighten them once, and no leaks. Look up Breslin performance products on the web. I know they have a web site. I bought them from a member of this board. One of the best investments I have made for my Buick.

Good luck.

Regards, John.

 

Why spend the money and wait for shipping? The Felpro 3 piece exhaust manifold gaskets you get at the parts store are dirt cheap and never blow out. If you have to take the headers off just buy more for a few bucks. They work as well on headers or manifolds. Just loosen headers and slide them in! The middle section needs the lower hole notched out to slide in. very easy. Stop wasting money. I think I have a set of new copper gaskets around for a 455 if anyone wants them?

 

I've used stock type exhaust manifold gaskets w/copper coat with great success. Keeping the bolts at proper torque IS a big factor in how long any gasket will seal.

 

Gaskets

Mr Gasket.

 

TA graphite.

Smarty, you're lucky! Every time I have to do any work it seems to always involve the passenger side! :af:

 

I used 2 sets of TA's 1720 carbon graphite while i was swaping motors around.I set was ruined without even starting up the car.bolted the headers up and then i had to take them back off. gaskets came apart . The 2ed set motor ran for about a hour and i had a problem with it.took headers back off and the same thing happened. I've had better luck with Mister Gasket. as long as the bolt are tight they work great at half the cost.

 

Since I started using flat washers under my header bolts I retorque them once and forget them. No more blown header gaskets. I use the cheap paper gaskets. Maybe I got a good set of headers.-Mike D

 

just stumbled across your post, you still got those copper header gaskets?
wanna trade someting for 'em??

 

Hint, put a little grease on the gaskets so they don't stick. We've used the same set of gaskets on our run stand for the past 8 years! Been on 20+ different engines.