Thought I'd write this up for anyone who runs into a similar situation.

A month or so ago I noticed an exhuast leak from what sounded like the rear of the TES headers on one side. Sure enough when I unbolted the headers the gaskets had been blown to bits. All traces of fiber were gone, leaving just a perforated metal gasket.

I decided to do some research here and get the best gasket set available so I wouldn't have this problem again anytime soon. After a few quick reads I decided the Percy's dead soft aluminum (Seal-4-Good) were the way to go. Guaranteed not to blow out and reusable. Ordered a set - but a problem arose, did I need the square or round ports. Hmmmmm . . .

Looking closely at the gaskets that came off I noticed a funny thing, they were not square - nor were they round


Confused and unsure what to order I figured I'd better call Edelbrock tech support to confirm. I asked the tech on the phone:

"I'm looking at replacement TES gaskets, can you tell me if they use round or square port gaskets ? "

"Why don't you use the ones that came with the headers ? "

"Becuase they blew out already, I need replacements, round or square ?" -- he says he has to check and puts me on hold. 5 mins later. . .

"Well sir, they're actually a one off. You can replace them with the TES gaskets, thats why we make them"

"But I would rather not waste my money on something thats going to leak like these fiber gaskets. - What would you recommend"

"I have to recommend you use our gaskets as none others are made for the TES"

"So, are you telling me that any gasket that doesnt interfere with the port, and fits the headers, without leaking, will work ?"

"No, I'm telling you to use our gaskets."

That went well
I carefully overlaid the Percy's Seal-4-Good (square port), on top of the TES gaskets and did not see any reason they wouldn't work. So I slid them into place and bolted the headers back up. Started the car up - sounded like a million bucks. No problems.

So, in any case, if anyone is wondering if you have to stick with the crap TES header gaskets when they blow out or leak the answer is NO !! - and I highly recommend the Percy's.

 

 

I just installed a Percy's seal 4 good collector gasket on my cutout and it stopped all the leaks. Sounds much better now. I won't buy anything but them

 

Just changed my order from a set of edelbrock gaskets to the percy's ....thanks for the information guys....also how much of a pain is it to change the header gaskets in these cars? mine is a 92 5.7

 

If you have the right tools it's really not much of a pain at all. Also depends on whats under the hood. I still run with a/c and smog so the 3 rear bolts on the pass side had to be loosed / tightend from under the car.

Since the Percy's are slotted on the front and back you can start the front and rear header bolts then slide the gasket down.
a few points to remember :
gaskets' smooth side towards engine
tighten header bolts a little at a time from the middle outward.