The driver side header gasket is ripped and leaking bad. can someone lend us some tips to making this change a simple, easy, and un-aggrivating experience?
I have the permatex, a gasket scraper and am getting the gasket tommrow. Is there any special type of gasket to get? anyone that you recomend?

 

Mr. Gasket header gaskets aren't that bad. Just loosen the bolts on both ends of the headers and take all the bolts in the middle out. Pull the old Gasket out and make sure you scrape to get out all the scraps. These will come back to hunt you if you don't get them. Anyway, slide the new one in, put the bolts back in, tighten everything and your done. If you still get a leak you might have warped flanges, just double the gaskets up. Not sure how hard it is to get around in your engine bay, so it might be aggravating if you have air cond. or anything else in the way. Just try and move everything so that you can get around.

 

use regular manifold gaskets (the steele ones) the paper and composit header gaskets suck. like was said just loosen everything until you can scrape out the old stuff. using permatex is a waste of time, it burns off shortly after startup (even the high temp) and then everything loosens up again. always use lock washers on headers, and if they still loosen and leak try a plain flat washer instead of the lock washer (dont ask me why but it works ) good luck.

 

Go to a local speed store, or call Jegs and get the Percy's "Dead Soft" Aluminum hedder gaskets. They were the BEST $40 I have ever spent. They will COMPLETELY eliminate any leaks!

 

ok since where on the header subject.. I finally installed my engine today.. I will soon be ready to put my new headers on as well.. now the edelbrock's I bought came with bolts gaskets and all.. but I already bought arp stainless header bolts.. should I lock tite them in since the heads are aluminum?
thanks

 

Use a metal composition gasket...one that's metal on both sodes...I use whatever NAPA stocked...could find the p/n for you if needed...best move i think is the use of Stage-8 locking bolts...I bought the kit from Summit, but had to order a few more extras for the longer ones I needed.

 

just out of curiousity how does the metal gasket work better than the paper one? You would think the paper one would conform better right? I am always having leaks and there annoying as hell. Any thoughts or comments??

 

It's as they call it "dead soft metal" It wiil aslo conform to the environment and is stronger too...

 

Around here everyone (speed shops, exhaust shops) are recommending copper gaskets. I am in the process of installing headers and I ordered a set of the copper gaskets, cause I don't ever want to go through this pain again!! I think the brand is SEC, or SCE, or something like that - very expensive, but apparently worht it.

 

I'm running the copper gaskets on my ZZ4/SLP 1 5/8 headers. I like em! Every so often one of my header bolts will loosen and I'll get a little leak but I just crank the bolt back down. The leak doesn't burn the copper gaskets.