I have Shorty style headers on my ZZ4 and I just had to change my header and manifold gaskets.... My garage tell me it lasted well at 1 1/2 years and that a lot of people dont like headers for that very reason Is it true am I commited to a life of tightening and changing??

 

Basicly Yes!
Headders can be a "PITA" a year and a half is a good run for gaskets.
Flow Tech makes some gaskets that are supposed to last a very, very long time thier made out of aluminum and lead.
I helped a friend put them on his dodge 4x4 "collectors only" And the collectors havent leaked since. That was about 6 months ago he was going through a set of collectors a month. try the flowtech's they have them at advanced auto&pep boys. This is the rerason I dont run headders but im thinking I might try them again with these kinda gaskets.

 

Get some Earls alum. gaskets. Had them on for a couple years now and never had a leak or a bolt loosen up. When i used regular header gaskets, i was changin those f'in things all the time and constantly re-tightening the bolts...

-Rich

 

I don't know about the changing the gaskets part, but you don't have to worry about constantly tightening them if you get the Stage 8 Locking header bolts. These have a unique design that prevents them from loosening, they're availavle in Summit and Jegs, check them out.

Jason

 

Thanks guys, guess a set of alumium gaskets and mon-loosening bolts are on the cards

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'86 Iroc ZZ4
Best Run 13.8 @ 100mph
I told you to blow the bloody doors off!
The British Firebird/Camaro Site

 

Ditto on the aluminum gaskets, I use Percy's, no problems. As far as header bolts I use blue Loctite on them and I have never had to retighten mine.

 

my experiences differ from the comments above...

last september I installed $83 Flowtechs in my Z28. Seven months and seven thousand miles later, I haven't had to re-tighten the first bolt.

OK, maybe that's not long enough, In 1985 I installed $49 Blackjack headers in my 1984 Chevy 4X4 PU. 16 years and over 100,000 miles later, and I haven't replaced the first gasket and no leaks!!

maybe you get what you pay for..lol!!!!

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1986 Black/Gold LG4 Z28
Original Owner, 200,000+ near trouble free miles.
Mostly Stock.

1995 Dark Red Metallic Corvette Coupe Original Owner