I have Vortec heads with Edlebrock 6872 headers. What is the best header gasket to use to keep the exhaust from leaking. I have Some felpro gaskets on there now but they seemed like they have melted a little and could be causing my leak. I've read get copper gaskets or the dead soft aluminum ones. Which one do y'all recommend?

 

I always use FEL-PRO MS9275 they never leak on my cars.

 

running some Mr Gasket copper gaskets, and they just flat out refuse to leak- even when the bolts vibrated loose that one time..

 

What was the model number? Do you remember?

 

no, i don't remember... got them over a year ago when i put the 355 in place of the 305.. they were just hanging in the "bling bling" section behind the counter of the local parts store: i told the guy "I want those copper small block Chevy header gaskets hanging on the wall back there" and he rang them up..

 

Ive always just used the cheapo felpro manifold gaskets ($6) with a thin layer of RTV.

No issues.

 

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I broke down and bought a set of Percy's gaskets.

 

i used to always use the cheap manifold gaskets, too... until i tried a set of copper gaskets...

 

I had a good set of copper gaskets on my last 3rdgen with vortec heads and headers and in 3 years I only tightened them once after maybe a month of driving time on them and it didn't really need it then.

 

I just don't see the benefit yet to switch. $6 vs what $30?

Seriously though, what is the benefit? Over several years I could see them being less likely to blow out, especially if you failed to keep check on the bolts. I might give them a try sometime in the future, but this has worked great so far.

 

the benefit is that they don't leak, the bolts don't loosen up, and they are probably the last set of gaskets you will ever need to install. they are also infinitely reusable, so if you change engines, swap heads, or scrap the car and put it all in a different shell, you can keep using them.