I'm still getting my manifolds out, but I hope to have this project completed in the wee hours of the morning...

I bought some Mr. Gasket _copper_ header gaskets and collector gaskets.

I have a couple questions.

First, is there a specific torque (ft/lbs) that these headers need to be torqued to?

Second, is there any break-in process to help eliminate any leaks? .... or is it put it in, and take it to WOT?

Thanks

 

no real breakin time needed. i wouldn't worry about torquing them down. just till they are good and tight, cause the bolts will back out anyways after the first couple hundred miles, then just tighten them up again and you should be good to go. as far as the break in time, don't worry about that, you bolt on and go with headers. check your bolts every time you change yer oil to make sure they stay good and tight.

 

I have been reading up on the header gaskets people on TGO have been using.

I didn't hear as many positive things as I did negatives with the Mr. Gasket Copperseal.

I returned them, along with my collector gaskets and got some FlowTech "dead soft" Real Seal gaskets and collector gaskets.

Cheaper and hopefully, it'll do the job. My headers are used, still in good shape, but I'm sure they'll need all the sealing they can get.

Did I make a good choice?

 

i don't think that you will have any problems with those gaskets, i have heard good things about them. infact, if memory serves correctly, my father has those for his collector gaskets on his headman long tube headers and they work just fine.

 

Kewl - That makes me feel a little bit better.

I'd have to shoot myself if I had a leak that meant removing the headers!

 

Yep, you shouldn't have a problem. I woud invest in some Stage 8 locking header bolts though, I've had mine on for about a year and never once touched the header bolts since they were installed. Well worth the money if you ask me.

 

For now, I just picked up some of those Allen head bolts that Checkers sells. Oddly, they didn't include washers... Shouldn't they?

I'll get some stage-8's soon.

 

if they are header bolts, they don't require washers.

 

I recently re-installed some hedman hedders and applied a bead of red silicone (brand name) on both sides of the gasket. The stuff really helps to achieve a good seal. I was even able to use it on the ill-fitting hedman y-pipe to great effect. It's only $6 for the tube.