I have tried just about everything to stop my headers from leaking. Felpro,Mr.Gasket,Felpro & Mr.Gasket siliconed together, Copper, cheap gaskets siliconed together. They never last more than a few months. Any suggestions?

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Addicted to speed
best ET 10.80 1/4 on Spray. 12.6 on motor.
93 Amoco
small block 3.73 gears.
1971

Here's my 2c

Once they leak, the gasket is shot.

Now, I use the el-cheapo (relatively) paper type gaskets and have yet to have them leak.

The trick is two fold; one, make sure you revisit the bolts several times over the short term until they no longer need tightening. Two, get stage 8 locking bolts. Once tight, they stay tight. Not cheap at around $35 a set but what's a life without leaks worth? Worth every penny IMHO.

Anyway, that's my solution.

I agree, I've usually had to retorque header bolts 3 or 4 times after a dozen or so "hot / cool" cycles. I've had 'em fall out before the next wrench session as well. (I was thinking of getting aircraft bolts and safety wiring them)

I dont have lock washers on it although I do retorque them for a few days. I will try the lock washers.

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Addicted to speed
best ET 10.80 1/4 on Spray. 12.6 on motor.
93 Amoco
small block 3.73 gears.
1971

Even with the hot/cold retightening drill I have had the best luck with stock gaskets from NAPA. They are made by Victor/Reinz, cost 8 bucks and if they do fail, just loosen the header bolts and slip some new ones in. By the way I have Dynomax uncoated on a 350. Last set has been on over a year and still no leaks.

do you have lock washers?

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Addicted to speed
best ET 10.80 1/4 on Spray. 12.6 on motor.
93 Amoco
small block 3.73 gears.
1971

originally posted by infanterene: I have tried just about everything to stop my headers from leaking. Felpro,Mr.Gasket,Felpro & Mr.Gasket siliconed together, Copper, cheap gaskets siliconed together. They never last more than a few months. Any suggestions?


You have tried lots of things but not everything...Take Your favorite gasket,(it can even be a used leaking one i've done it)
goop them up with an even coat (i've gone as thick as 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch before) of permatex ultra copper on
both sides.Let them sit overnight,then slide
them in and tighten em up.You are going to have to go a coulple rounds of tightining and re-tightining but it works.Another good trick is to tighten from the middle of the head out - alternating front to back.

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UH OH...YOU SLEPT AT THE TREE AGAIN...LEAVIN
SEEYA!

[This message has been edited by chrispicide35 (edited 08-02-2002).]

No, I use Mr.Gasket bolts only.

The HPC company has a "No Blow" header gasket that is supposed to swell up to five times its original size when it gets hot.

Has anybody tried these gaskets to see if their any good?
www.hpcoatings.com (http://www.hpcoatings.com)

A real problem with headers is that the mating flanges are not ground flat. Take a large flat smooth file and hold it against each flange while lightly moving it around. You have to keep the file as flat as possible. You will then see the low spots. Continue filing until the entire surface has been cut by the file. You have to keep the file flat and maintain even pressure. Solved my leaky headers.

I put two gaskets on each side when I had headers.

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My cars (http://www.geocities.com/gdwrench64/carphotopg1.html)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hoptup32:
The HPC company has a "No Blow" header gasket that is supposed to swell up to five times its original size when it gets hot.

Has anybody tried these gaskets to see if their any good?
www.hpcoatings.com (http://www.hpcoatings.com) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I checked their website but it doesnt say anything about them swelling. They sound like they are made the same way as the felpro's.


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Addicted to speed
best ET 10.80 1/4 on Spray. 12.6 on motor.
93 Amoco
small block 3.73 gears.
1971

Hi I like JYD71 454 have also had good luck with the cheap paper gaskets and header bolts with out lock washers they seem to last much longer then anything else I have tried. Dave

I had gaskets on mine that were so cheap, they'd disintegrate when you disconnected the flanges. But they never leaked

http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif


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1979 Chevy Malibu 2-Door with a lumpy Chevy 355. (Hot Rod)
1983 Chevy Malibu 4-Door with a 231 (3.8L) Buick V-6 with Edelbrock Goodies (Daily Driver)
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Aaron "The Hammer" Robertson.
Speed kills...drive a Ford and live FOREVER
Youth And Hotrodding - A Car Club for Those Under 25 (http://www.geocities.com/youthandhotrodding)

Use the stock aluminum and paper exaust manifold gaskets. I have them on my truck hasn't leaked in over a year.

Tim