need good quality header gaskets - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

K10Scottsdale78 · 06-20-2013, 09:55 AM

Im about to replace my header gaskets on the weekend. I took one of my headers off yesterday and the gasket was so bad, it fell apart when i set it aside.

Can anyone recommend a set of good quality header gaskets? Im not cheaping out on it, since id like to have it last. Ive got a 400 small block under the hood. If anyone can provide links as well, id appreciate it.

manimal · 06-20-2013, 10:16 AM

Remflex. or Copper.

manimal · 06-20-2013, 10:17 AM

Also, do you have GOOD QUALITY headers? If they dont have thick flanges,they "MAY" warp and that would be the cause of leaks.

KQQL IT · 06-20-2013, 11:16 AM

http://www.jegs.com/i/Percys/760/660...oductId=744841

Have not touched them in 4/5 years.
Posted via Mobile Device

INSIDIOUS '86 · 06-20-2013, 11:17 AM

I like remflex suckers seal everything
Posted via Mobile Device

dieseldawg142 · 06-20-2013, 11:25 AM

had them percy aluminum ones on my truck, good gasket, no issues till i pulled the engine. there not really "reusable" i found. they peeled apart layer after layer when i removed the headers. running remflex on my bb now, 4 yrs, no problems

buffle · 06-20-2013, 11:38 AM

Just my 2 cents, an old mechanic taught me to coat both sides of header gaskets. He used plain old front end grease , rubbed it on both sides then let it burn off after start-up. It made even cheap gaskets last forever.

donut · 06-20-2013, 07:22 PM

I'm too cheap to buy "good" headers.

Here's what I do. Cheap replacement exhaust manifold gaskets, light smear of copper rtv on them.

I also cut the flanges so the tubes act independent, obviously on a smallblock the 2 center tubes stay together. I take a big, flat file and run it across the mating surface (before cutting the flange) and look for high/low spots. Think I read someone drug them across a concrete floor.
Tighten them up. Run through a heat cycle, re-tighten.

This works for me, obviously YMMV. Last set, 2-1/2 years till I sold the truck. Set before, the headers rotted out before the gaskets blew.

I used to live in an inspection state, no exhaust leaks allowed...

anubisani · 06-20-2013, 07:36 PM

USE Orange silicone gasket maker on both sides let it get tacky then put on the gasket it prevents it from leaking and the gaskets last longer

Blackpony · 06-20-2013, 07:53 PM

On my mustang I use Percy gaskets. I have used them for 10+ years and reused them at least a dozen times and they still seal perfectly. On my truck it's factory gm mls gaskets.
Posted via Mobile Device

Rufton · 06-20-2013, 08:09 PM

I just installled steel layered victor reinz gaskets in 99 vortec 350.
Looks same as OEM.
Will crush to form good seal.
Looks like the steel will hold torque well.
I didn't notice the polymer layers.
Cheap but I believe they are high quality.
OEM (looks identical) held up perfect.

THE "10" SILVERADO · 06-21-2013, 12:50 AM

Used copper on mine after the paper ones Headman sent me burned out. No problems since. Just keep checking the bolts.

K10Scottsdale78 · 06-21-2013, 01:56 PM

I ended up going to autozone and getting a set of Mr.Gaskets. Im just gonna grease each side like buffle said. I was going to order a good set of them off jegs, but I didnt feel like waiting for them to arrive. Going to do the replacement on saturday when im off work... also going to paint my headers while im at it too, got a can of silver header spray paint while getting the gaskets

06-20-2013, 09:55 AM	#1
K10Scottsdale78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marilla, NY Posts: 112	need good quality header gaskets Im about to replace my header gaskets on the weekend. I took one of my headers off yesterday and the gasket was so bad, it fell apart when i set it aside. Can anyone recommend a set of good quality header gaskets? Im not cheaping out on it, since id like to have it last. Ive got a 400 small block under the hood. If anyone can provide links as well, id appreciate it. __________________ -1978 K10 Scottsdale LWB 400 SBC 4 spd muncie SM465 ("heavy chevy") -2002 Toyota Celica GT 5spd (gas saving daily driver) -1969 Pontiac Firebird (post-college project car)

06-20-2013, 10:16 AM	#2
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: need good quality header gaskets Remflex. or Copper. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

06-20-2013, 10:17 AM	#3
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: need good quality header gaskets Also, do you have GOOD QUALITY headers? If they dont have thick flanges,they "MAY" warp and that would be the cause of leaks. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

06-20-2013, 11:16 AM	#4
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,257	Re: need good quality header gaskets http://www.jegs.com/i/Percys/760/660...oductId=744841 Have not touched them in 4/5 years. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

06-20-2013, 11:17 AM	#5
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: need good quality header gaskets I like remflex suckers seal everything Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

06-20-2013, 11:25 AM	#6
dieseldawg142 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: back 40, bc Posts: 3,906	Re: need good quality header gaskets had them percy aluminum ones on my truck, good gasket, no issues till i pulled the engine. there not really "reusable" i found. they peeled apart layer after layer when i removed the headers. running remflex on my bb now, 4 yrs, no problems

06-20-2013, 11:38 AM	#7
buffle buffle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Independence, Mo Posts: 426	Re: need good quality header gaskets Just my 2 cents, an old mechanic taught me to coat both sides of header gaskets. He used plain old front end grease , rubbed it on both sides then let it burn off after start-up. It made even cheap gaskets last forever. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The older it is, the faster it is used up.

06-20-2013, 07:22 PM	#8
donut Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,593	Re: need good quality header gaskets I'm too cheap to buy "good" headers. Here's what I do. Cheap replacement exhaust manifold gaskets, light smear of copper rtv on them. I also cut the flanges so the tubes act independent, obviously on a smallblock the 2 center tubes stay together. I take a big, flat file and run it across the mating surface (before cutting the flange) and look for high/low spots. Think I read someone drug them across a concrete floor. Tighten them up. Run through a heat cycle, re-tighten. This works for me, obviously YMMV. Last set, 2-1/2 years till I sold the truck. Set before, the headers rotted out before the gaskets blew. I used to live in an inspection state, no exhaust leaks allowed... __________________ '86 C-30 dually, 454/tbh400 '73 K-20 350/350/205 (sold ) I'm kinda like duct tape- no real purpose, but handy to have around.

06-20-2013, 07:36 PM	#9
anubisani Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: homestead florida Posts: 312	Re: need good quality header gaskets USE Orange silicone gasket maker on both sides let it get tacky then put on the gasket it prevents it from leaking and the gaskets last longer

06-20-2013, 07:53 PM	#10
Blackpony Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Aubrey, TX Posts: 308	Re: need good quality header gaskets On my mustang I use Percy gaskets. I have used them for 10+ years and reused them at least a dozen times and they still seal perfectly. On my truck it's factory gm mls gaskets. Posted via Mobile Device

06-20-2013, 08:09 PM	#11
Rufton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 1,170	Re: need good quality header gaskets I just installled steel layered victor reinz gaskets in 99 vortec 350. Looks same as OEM. Will crush to form good seal. Looks like the steel will hold torque well. I didn't notice the polymer layers. Cheap but I believe they are high quality. OEM (looks identical) held up perfect. Attached Images

06-21-2013, 12:50 AM	#12
THE "10" SILVERADO Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Marble Falls, TX Posts: 1,575	Re: need good quality header gaskets Used copper on mine after the paper ones Headman sent me burned out. No problems since. Just keep checking the bolts. __________________ Michael Re-starting the neglected '77...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=425464&page=9

06-21-2013, 01:56 PM	#13
K10Scottsdale78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marilla, NY Posts: 112	Re: need good quality header gaskets I ended up going to autozone and getting a set of Mr.Gaskets. Im just gonna grease each side like buffle said. I was going to order a good set of them off jegs, but I didnt feel like waiting for them to arrive. Going to do the replacement on saturday when im off work... also going to paint my headers while im at it too, got a can of silver header spray paint while getting the gaskets __________________ -1978 K10 Scottsdale LWB 400 SBC 4 spd muncie SM465 ("heavy chevy") -2002 Toyota Celica GT 5spd (gas saving daily driver) -1969 Pontiac Firebird (post-college project car)



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