header gasket in bits again!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: wakefield uk
header gasket in bits again!
Hi
In a bid to overcome my header gasket problem (3 sets in 2000mls)I'm about to buy some Percy "dead soft" aluminium gaskets ,are they as good as they claim with forced induction motors ,anyone had experience of these?
TIA
In a bid to overcome my header gasket problem (3 sets in 2000mls)I'm about to buy some Percy "dead soft" aluminium gaskets ,are they as good as they claim with forced induction motors ,anyone had experience of these?
TIA
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
I have Earl's header gaskets and Percy's Collector gaskets. They work great. I also safety wired my header bolts together (aircraft trick) to keep them from loosing. Get Percy's or Earl's gaskets, you can't go wrong.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
another trick....soak the gaskets in water, maybe one to two nights...they expand and will make a better seal when header bolts are tightened...
Good point about wiring and/or using header bolts that stay put once torqued
Good point about wiring and/or using header bolts that stay put once torqued
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Percys dead soft are awsome. 
I was running with two header bolts that loosened to finger tight and it still didn't leak. Throw away those paper gaskets and never use them again.
But do check the header flange for straightness. Percys will probably still seal, even with that bent flange.
Eddie
I was running with two header bolts that loosened to finger tight and it still didn't leak. Throw away those paper gaskets and never use them again. But do check the header flange for straightness. Percys will probably still seal, even with that bent flange.
Eddie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Percy's are excellent. I've had them on my car now for 3 or 4 years with no leaks. I also use Stage 8 locking header bolts. Here's a tip, install the headers using the Percy's and Stage 8 bolts but don't put the locks on yet. Each week for a few weeks go back and tighten everything up. After a couple tightenings install the locks and you won't have to touch it again for a long time.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
I aslo used dead soft multi layer aluminum gaskets and have had no problems. I also used Mr Gasket lock washers. I can just look at them to make sure they are still compressed. I've never even needed to retighten.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 899
Likes: 1
From: Kansas
I take a file to the header flange to make sure they are flat,and use Mr gasket ultra seal.
After first install drive car around then retighten header bolts,then again few weeks later then you should be good for a year or two then retighten again.
After first install drive car around then retighten header bolts,then again few weeks later then you should be good for a year or two then retighten again.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Mukilteo Washington
I have a set of new hooker comps that are ceramic coated, I haven't installed them yet because the mounting/mating flanges are badly worped, I don't think I could seal them with gaskets, I was thinking of cutting the flanges around the exhaust tube bolt holes out to help them to seat. Has any one done this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I also like the Mr Gasket Ultra seals. Make sure your flange and head surfaces are straight. Then I also use a light coat of Permatex ultra copper sealant on both sides of the gasket. That should hold ya. I have a bent flange on my #4,6 flange on my vette and it was popping Mr G ultra seals left and right. I used the ultra copper silicone and its held up for the last 600 miles, that was even with some 115mph runs on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Originally Posted by 77 vette
I have a set of new hooker comps that are ceramic coated, I haven't installed them yet because the mounting/mating flanges are badly worped, I don't think I could seal them with gaskets, I was thinking of cutting the flanges around the exhaust tube bolt holes out to help them to seat. Has any one done this?
Bring them to a machine shop, they will re-surface the header flange for you to true them up.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Mukilteo Washington
Originally Posted by JoeRags
Bring them to a machine shop, they will re-surface the header flange for you to true them up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
"back in the day" one method of curing this recurring problem to to cut the header flange in half,just a small cut.This seemed to allow the flange(s) to remain flat and expand at their own rate.