Is copper the best way to go on gaskets for headers?

What is the most leak-proof?

 

bump

 

Some folks have no issues, others do - depends on the heads and the headers. I had issues with both leaks and bolts coming loose, and I finally went with the dead-soft aluminum gaskets and that did the trick.

 

I'll just use the gaskets I got from Mr. Gasket, and if I have problems I'll use that copper sealant stuff.

 

i've had good luck with the felpro 1405

 

i use permatex copper with no gasket

 

Thanks guys. I am sure lots of combos work. I do like the aluminum type gaskets but have no money to get them right now. That really sucks.

I think the main thing is just keeping the bolts tightened by checking them and tightening them as needed.

 

maybe someone could help me out on this too, I have blown out like 3/4 pairs of header gaskets. idk why, I used to have an issue with bolts backing out but i solved that first time around. and then I've blown out two pair since. they seem to blow out right in the middle between the two center exhaust ports. I was trying to find like copper or metal gaskets but couldnt seem to find any. Do you think those(if found) would solve the problem?

 

It might - my first set blew out quickly too. I then used the dead soft aluminum ones (think by Earl's?). I got them off the shelf at Autozone, wasn't too expensive, and they've been on there 3 years now with no issues.

 

ah sweet then I shall try that. Thanks!

 

I just replaced my blown fel pro gaskets with some Percy's dead soft aluminum gaskets. So far so good and they have a lifetime warantee.

 

This seems like the thread i need, lol. I keep getting an exhaust leak right at #6 & 8. I've tighten the header bolts 3 or 4 times now and to be honest i'm getting REAL tired of it. I've heard that Mr. Gasket's "Ultra Seal" gaskets are the one to get. I've also heard their MLS ones (PN# 4803G) are good too. Anybody every use these gaskets? What kinda luck you've had with them? I'm also going to get "Percy's" header bolts (PN# 21004). An exhaust shop told me these are the best headers bolts out there as far as not getting loose or backing off. Anybody else use these?

Lastly but most important, exhaust gasket size. I can't, for the life of me remember what size header gaskets the stock heads/headers use. I'm running 1.63 Headman headers. Are they round port or the oval? What are the size/dimensions? Its just a real pain in the *** for me to take these off, so of anybody happens to know can you please tell me. Thanks for any help guys.

 

I used the mr.gasket with the copper RTV sealant around each port and have had NO leaks at all. I even have chepo flowtech headers. Also, I had most all the bolts vibrate loose (even lost a couple), and still had no leaks at all. I have no idea how far I drove with loose header bolts so I'm a true believer in that combo.

 

It might be worth it to get that copper sealant too. I get so pissed off when i get in it, give it a lil throttle and i hear that damn ticking! I cannot tell you how bad it annoys me. Anyway, lol, where did you actually put the sealant? In between the gasket and the motor/heads, or in between the gasket and the header flange. Thanks again for the help, I really appreciate it.

 

One more thing, would you happen to remember what size and type gaskets you used? Were they oval port, round port? Measurements?

 

If I remember right, I think I put it on the header side of gasket, usually the head side is really smooth and need nothing extra.
You could put a little on both sides to be safe, don't go crazy with it, but it couldn't hurt.

The main problem is most sbc heads are a square port and most headers are round port. Best way to seal is have them port matched.

 

I don't remember exactly which mr.gasket, nothing fancy, just the standard header ones. My heads and headers have been port matched (aftermarket heads too) so my ports are probably a different size than yours, so my measurements wouldn't match with yours. the copper sealant I used was permatex brand.

 

Well i think the heads were square port and the headers were round so either way you slice it theres going to be some blockage, so i'm thinking of finding the part number and see what kind and size gasket the manufacturer sends with them and just match it?

 

oh I see what you asking.....which gasket shape.....I would use the round gaskets, that way it mates all the surface of the header to the parts of the heads it is touching. That's the problem with sbc. You will have overlap whatever you do. I got rid of mine my reshaping the flanges on the headers then port matching the heads to the headers....but I don't know how involved you want to get with it. Whatever you do, use that copper RTV sealant.

 

What kind of gasket have you used and liked? Again i've heard that the ultra-seal's (which are a mulit-metal kind) are pretty good and their only about $25, but so is copper gaskets by summit. Do you know which ones usually seal/work better? I'm so sick of getting this exhaust leak that i'll spend however much won't give me the leak! Thanks again for your help and sorry i'm keep you up.

 

the ultra seals was the one, then put the copper RTV on both sides of it (thin layer) and that should never leak again (unless your headers are warped bad)

 

Ok then thats the combo were gonna do. Thank you so much for your help. I'll get the ultra-seals and add some copper sealant. Thanks again!

 

no problem, and don't forget to check once in a while to make sure your header bolts are snug. Or get some of those locking header bolts. Hope those annoying leaks go bye bye.

 

Here are the kind that were recommend to me. What you think? Ever use em?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PHP-21004/

 

I have looked at those and thought about getting some, I don't know anyone who has used them....everyone I know including myself use the ones with the locking tabs, but they are a pain in the you know what....I would get those, they look like they should work. I think I'm going to order some for me as well, look a lot easier to deal with than those stupid lock washer ones.

 

I called an exhaust shop and thats exactly what they said. They prefer the ones that i sent you too. They said that they work just as good as the tab ones if not better and their ALOT easier to take off if need be. Good luck with your project.

 

you too......it will be nice when you get your leaks fixed, I hate exhaust leaks....anyway good luck

 

Those Percy's locking bolts are the real deal! I've had them on my car 2 ears now and never once had to re-tighten any of them. Expensive, but well worth it! I'll never use anything else!

 

Did you use any anti-seize on the bolts? I heard some ppl use red thread locker too? You have any pictures of your car camaronewbie?

 

nope - just put 'em in!

 

heres what i did.
Mr gasket copperseal gaskets.
red loctite on the bolts.
torqued the bolts a **** load.
yep that did the trick.

 

I would think that if you use red loctite on the bolts and you are going to be putting them into aluminum heads, that you will have a problem when the time comes to pull them out. I use anti sieze on all bolts that go into aluminum heads, intake, etc. I have experienced pulling threads out of aluminum heads without using the anti sieze, not fun at all. The Percy's bolts and all header bolts should have the anti sieze applied before installing. I am in the process of pulling my shorty Hedmans off and putting Hedman longtubes on my car late this winter and even though I use anti sieze on my bolts with the felpro gaskets, once my car had several heat cycles on them and I retorqued the bolts, they have never come loose. It is important to retorque header bolts several times after inititial install and afterwards they should stay put.

 

A friend of mine told me about the anit-seize. I wasn't sure wether or not to use it. So far he's the only one that told me to use it. Right now the heads are the stock iron ones. I know you have to retorque the header bolts after a few heat cycles, but they've been retorqued about 4 or 5 times now. I'm tired of hearing the damn exhuast leak, I hate that sound! I also heard that the red loctite was a bad idea on header bolts. Gonna look at getting the new gaskets maybe this week or next.

Got more more question since i'm here. Have you guys heard of the spray on copper gasket sealant? I've only seen the tube ones. Has anyone used the spray on stuff? Any good?