what header gaskets to use???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Meridian, MS
what header gaskets to use???
well, i have run into the usual it was really expensive and does not fit right problems with my hooker side pipes. I bolted up the headers and had them loose the way the directions said, then installed the side pipes, well the driver side was not even close, the pipe mounting bracket was 2 in lower than the hole in the frame, there was no way to make it fit. so i welded the brackets to the side of the car, bolted up and snugged everything up. the passenger side bolted right up no problems, or so i thought. until i tried to open the passenger side door and it put a nice scuff on my new pipe 
!!!!!!!!! well now i start the car and of course blow the header gaskets on each side. i start looking real close and the header is not totally snug against the head. so i try to tighten bolt....of course it is as tight as its going to get. so off come the pipes... new header gaskets, this time get the header totally tight prior to pipe installation. bolt everything up looks good sounds good, 10 miles later blown header gasket!!!!!!! i am going to scream!!!!! any suggestions????
!!!!!!!!! well now i start the car and of course blow the header gaskets on each side. i start looking real close and the header is not totally snug against the head. so i try to tighten bolt....of course it is as tight as its going to get. so off come the pipes... new header gaskets, this time get the header totally tight prior to pipe installation. bolt everything up looks good sounds good, 10 miles later blown header gasket!!!!!!! i am going to scream!!!!! any suggestions????
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I got a set of fel-pro from autozone pretty cheap. Fixed my header leak right up. Just get the stock manifold gaskets. You won't even have to completely unbolt your headers to put em on, they just hook over the bolts and you can tighten right up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 837
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
Robert, I'm on my second set of Hooker sidepipes and never had problems with the gaskets leaking. I am using the Felpros. I make sure that the headers are installed tight against the heads first. I then play with the sidepipes and get them to fit. I'm thinking that by welding the sidepipes to the frame, you have put the headers in a bind now and they won't seal against the head. I have had to do minor tweaking with the sidepipe mounting tabs to get them to fit the frame. I have mine installed and even am using the supplied rubber insulators to dampen the vibrations. My doors barely clears the pipes but they do. You '78 body sits higher than my '72 so yours should clear even better than mine. I'd start with getting the header to sit flush with the heads all bolted tight first and go/adjust from there. They just take some tweaking to get them to fit right. Are you using stock motor mounts? A tip is to use hi-temp antiseize compound in the header to tube area. That way, you will at least have a fighting chance to get them apart in the future. Did you get into flight school? Charles
Last edited by Mako72; Sep 26, 2006 at 10:02 AM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
I had to use a grinder on the mating surface of my headers to get rid of some weld bumps and minor splash from welding that prevented the headers from seating flush to the heads. I snugged them up without gaskets just to see how they seated.
Now, I know they'll be some eyebrows raised with this comment but here goes:
Use the gasket they send you and coat both sides with a liberal amount of grease, install the headers with the gaskets and tighten the bolts evenly. Run the engine for a few minutes then go back and tighten the bolts again, drive 100 miles and recheck the bolts.
Mine have never leaked and I have never blown a gasket.
Bill
Now, I know they'll be some eyebrows raised with this comment but here goes:
Use the gasket they send you and coat both sides with a liberal amount of grease, install the headers with the gaskets and tighten the bolts evenly. Run the engine for a few minutes then go back and tighten the bolts again, drive 100 miles and recheck the bolts.
Mine have never leaked and I have never blown a gasket.
Bill
