I need some advice on header gaskets.I've got a typical smallblock in my Camaro with the Hedman shorties and y-pipe and have had a hell of a time getting them to seal up.The paper gaskets(round holes) sealed for awhile,but soon blew out.I tried a set of Felpro steel core gaskets(square holes)which didn't seal well at all.They might have if i had ordered the right size,my exhaust ports are 1.50-1.50,and the Felpro was 1.53-1.53.Right now,i'm temporarily running old manifold gaskets,and they don't seal well at all.Anyway,i'm gonna order a set of the seal 4 good Percy's gaskets and they come in both square and round hole design.Which would be better?

 

Hey Mike...long time no see......
I had the same thing with the square gaskets and my Hedmans. The problem is the Hedman tube is round, and the square gaskets were running outside the tube and just not sealing. I ended up going to the Mr. Gasket round port ones and haven't had any problems - as long as the bolts stayed tight.
I just got my Formula running last week; a bit more work and it will be ready for the road

Pete

 

Wassup Pete! I appreciate your input because we both run the same headers,round ones it is.You have my consolations about your Camaro,It's a jungle out there man!

 

I used these gaskets for use with my 1 5/8" headers... worked great.

http://www.performancenmore.com/flogasket.htm

I used both the header gaskets as well as the collector gaskets.

 

Thanks for the tip Dante,The dead-soft aluminum seems to be the way to go.

 

Yeah... When I put my headers on, I must've spent a good 2-3 hours on this board doing searches, trying to find the best gaskets.

Percy's also makes a great "dead soft" gasket set, however I don't think anyone would sell them locally.

I picked my gaskets up at a local Checker Auto.

 

I think you are supposed to use gaskets that are the same shape as the ports, no?

 

That's what I always thought when picking up new ones. Then when I'd install them, it would be an instant leak. It turned out to be that the corners of the rectangular gaskets were outside the sealing area of the round tubes on the Hedmans.

Pete

 

You need to use oval portes. Thats what chevys are. They need to match up with your heads. You will see that your headers, if they are for a Chevy Camaro they are kind of pinched at the end to make them a little oval. Also, I would go with Earl's gaskets. They are a little pricey but its worth it. And also you can have the best gaskets in the world but if your header bolts come loose, then thats why you blow gaskets. You must use stage 8 locking bolts. Thats a must. I have had tons of experience with blowing gaskets. I finally got it right with Earls gaskets and stage 8 locking bolts.

 

guys, i know most of you guys have probably had your headers in your cars for a while, but ive found, that sometimes when headers just wont seal up, if you weld the outside of the tubes to the flange, and then grind the inside welds down, they will seal very well, and be less problematic/sensitive to gasket material/type.


adam