Got any? Pointers , tricks...Brands..thanks in advance.. passenger side (of course)...blew the gasket out the top of #8

 

i take a portaband and cut the flange between each end and the middle. run the best gasket you can find and i drill the bolts and use safety wire.

 

im a little confused here Ede...I get the safety wire , I understand the drilling the bolt holes..The cutting part I don't quite understand...any hopes of clearifying that a bit..thanks a lot...

 

I think he cust the header flange into 3 sections to reduce the chance of misalignment.

 

The best advice I can offer is to use Percy's "Seal-for-good" aluminum gaskets. They will never burn or blow out and are re-useable.

My buddy decided not to take my advice because of the 'steep' price, and got Mr Gasket paper type gaskets. Well 4 mos. later he's changing them again, this time taking my advice.

2 sets of paper gaskets+aggrevation of changing them=alot more than just getting good gaskets in the first place.

But, a tip I heard is to soak paper gaskets in water overnite and install them wet. Always go back and re-torque them after a couple heat/cool cycles and check them evry so often. A leaking paper gasket will not last. On the other hand, if the bolts loosen up on the aluminum gaskets, you can just snug them back up and they'll seal...

 

yeha by cutting the flange each port and flange seals on it's own, not dependent on the others, if something is out of flat along the flang it doesn't matter. i've used 2 gaskets and i've soaked them in water, not sure anything really helps in the long run, if it's a paper type gasket you'll be changeing it again.

 

Ede, Could you explain the safety wire and drilling of the bolts, I'm new to the headers game!........Thanks

 

Thanks for the replies..I get it now Ede. thanks ,I 'll try it. Ill get the best Gasket I can find here in the heartland, Thanks again and Goodnight...:hail:

 

When I called Summit and ordered my headers, I asked for the best header gasket they had. They too, recommended Percys seal for good gaskets. I haven't installed or tested them yet (engine is still at machine shop), but I am hoping these are the answers to my prayers.

 

Hey, I know this one! You take the header bolts and drill a hole through the head of the bolt, horizontal to the bolt's vertical. Repeat with the other bolts. After you install the headers, run the wire through the bolts, wrapping it around the bolt a couple of turns. This keeps the bolts from loosening up.

 

I'm I the only one that uses 'Stage 8' bolts & lockers?

Nine times out of ten, the gasket(s) blows cause a bolt(s) came loose.


Ron

 

i put stage 8s on for someone once. guess i'm still stuck back in to old day with safety wire, before stage 8s were around. i wire a pair of bolts together, if you do it right as a bolt backs out it pulls the wire tighter to pull the bolt back in. you need safety wire plires to spin the wire right. any swap meet or flea market ought to have them.

 

Yea, we used to drop two set of gaskets on, & tighten weekly before stage 8.

I still see saftey wire on the crank pulley, & flexplate/flywheel.

Wasn't GM solution to let the bolts rust in place. I'm serious!!!

Ron

 

Thanks for all the help..the job is now complete. it took longer to change the plugs.