Best Header Gaskets?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,327
Likes: 8,132
From: Napa Valley California
Best Header Gaskets?
Who makes the best header gasket sets these days?
I see them offered in copper, aluminum, ultra seal, marine, metal core and the good old standby laminate ones I’ve always used.
Too many choices these days.
Summit has over ten pages of choices for Chevy big block.
I see them offered in copper, aluminum, ultra seal, marine, metal core and the good old standby laminate ones I’ve always used.
Too many choices these days.
Summit has over ten pages of choices for Chevy big block.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I've had a set of Percy's ''Dead Soft'' Header Gaskets on for a few years now and have never had any issues. Nice thing is they survive being taken off and put back on again... Yes you need to thermal cycle them and re-torque but I normally would do that anyway
I've also got a pair of taylor/percy carbon gaskets up on the shelf that were going to be my next try if the dead soft blew out, which they didn't, but I just looked and it seem they don't sell those anymore... not sure what to read into that, they were supposed to be the new revolution in gaskets...
M
I've also got a pair of taylor/percy carbon gaskets up on the shelf that were going to be my next try if the dead soft blew out, which they didn't, but I just looked and it seem they don't sell those anymore... not sure what to read into that, they were supposed to be the new revolution in gaskets...
M
Last edited by Mooser; Apr 5, 2024 at 03:36 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 148
From: East London/SW Essex UK
I've had a set of Percy's ''Dead Soft'' Header Gaskets on for a few years now and have never had any issues. Nice thing is they survive being taken off and put back on again... Yes you need to thermal cycle them and re-torque but I normally would do that anyway
I've also got a pair of taylor/percy carbon gaskets up on the shelf that were going to be my next try if the dead soft blew out, which they didn't, but I just looked and it seem they don't sell those anymore... not sure what to read into that, they were supposed to be the new revolution in gaskets...
M
I've also got a pair of taylor/percy carbon gaskets up on the shelf that were going to be my next try if the dead soft blew out, which they didn't, but I just looked and it seem they don't sell those anymore... not sure what to read into that, they were supposed to be the new revolution in gaskets...
M
Last edited by roscobbc; Apr 5, 2024 at 03:19 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 272
From: New York
I spoke to a Summit Technical specialist for the same reason. He recommended Patriot Seal-4-Good Header Gaskets 66012. Are they the best? I have no idea.
Looks like this will be any oil thread where everyone has an opinion.
Looks like this will be any oil thread where everyone has an opinion.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 1,642
From: Fairfax Virginia
I have been using the Soft Copper exhaust gaskets for over 2 decades and they have NEVER leaked or needed to be re-tightened. I would try the aluminum if they are cheaper as long as it is the soft type of gasket. The copper gaskets attach a set of Hedmann Headers and they have never been off the car since the day I installed them.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,327
Likes: 8,132
From: Napa Valley California
I have been using the Soft Copper exhaust gaskets for over 2 decades and they have NEVER leaked or needed to be re-tightened. I would try the aluminum if they are cheaper as long as it is the soft type of gasket. The copper gaskets attach a set of Hedmann Headers and they have never been off the car since the day I installed them.
They reported leaks until swapping the copper for aluminum.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,327
Likes: 8,132
From: Napa Valley California
New question,
I have 2” primary tubes on my new Hedman headers.
The inside diameter of the round tubing at the flange measures approximately 1.875”
Should I buy the header gaskets with the 1.875 diameter round opening or go with a 2.1” diameter round opening?
I have 2” primary tubes on my new Hedman headers.
The inside diameter of the round tubing at the flange measures approximately 1.875”
Should I buy the header gaskets with the 1.875 diameter round opening or go with a 2.1” diameter round opening?
Last edited by OldCarBum; Apr 6, 2024 at 12:37 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Seal-4-Good was trade marked so I'd say Patriot bought the rights now and pertronix owns patriot...
M
Last edited by Mooser; Apr 5, 2024 at 06:05 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
M
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
That is the same mentality that Intake Gaskets don't need sealant.
Bad idea in my opinion
The header flange is subject to extreme temperature swings.
One moment, depending on where you live, it could be well below zero.
Next moment the flange could be over 400 degrees.
Expand / Contract. Expand / Contract.
Fiber type gaskets and sealants do not expand / contract.
Copper & Aluminum do.
Bad idea in my opinion
The header flange is subject to extreme temperature swings.
One moment, depending on where you live, it could be well below zero.
Next moment the flange could be over 400 degrees.
Expand / Contract. Expand / Contract.
Fiber type gaskets and sealants do not expand / contract.
Copper & Aluminum do.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Your gasket should match the flange pipe. Hopefully your headers primary side is bigger than your head port. I've actually ground the inside of the headers before to match the heads. My two vette motors are .600 raised exhaust ports and kind of D shaped. So I bought the FelPro blue steel with the header flange round port in mind. The D shaped head port has some anti reversion good charateristickes. Over the years I tried all kinds of gaskets because engines would come and go on an annual basis. copper was kind of a one shot deal. They worked good untill you pulled the headers. The extreem heat hardened the copper. When you put an extended load on the motor temps of 1300+ degrees are common. I tried Energy Suspension red poly motor mounts many years ago before solids. The driver side broke and they melted because of header heat and were a PITA to remove because they had blobbed over the 3 motor side bolts. It took a die grinder and hammer chisel to remove the red crap.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,327
Likes: 8,132
From: Napa Valley California
That is the same mentality that Intake Gaskets don't need sealant.
Bad idea in my opinion
The header flange is subject to extreme temperature swings.
One moment, depending on where you live, it could be well below zero.
Next moment the flange could be over 400 degrees.
Expand / Contract. Expand / Contract.
Fiber type gaskets and sealants do not expand / contract.
Copper & Aluminum do.
Bad idea in my opinion
The header flange is subject to extreme temperature swings.
One moment, depending on where you live, it could be well below zero.
Next moment the flange could be over 400 degrees.
Expand / Contract. Expand / Contract.
Fiber type gaskets and sealants do not expand / contract.
Copper & Aluminum do.
Ive used Sanderson headers over the years on boats and cars.
Their headers flanges are raised then machined perfectly flat, 3/8” thick, do not require gaskets and they even state you will have exhaust leaks if gaskets are used.
Ive never had an exhaust leak, or had to replace a gasket on any of their headers.
The main reason for using gaskets on most headers is they use thin flanges, they warp, their welds are crap, and they do a poor job of finishing the flange to head surface.
On Monday I’m taking my modified Hedman long tube headers to Sanderson’s to be ceramic coated.
I plan to try and talk them into building me a set of long tube headers for my big block using my Hedman’s as a template.
If they will, I’ll have them do so, because they manufacture the best quality headers on the market today.
Unfortunately they don’t make long tube headers for big block Corvettes, but they will build custom headers.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Apr 6, 2024 at 12:38 PM.