Header gaskets keep blowing out
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 263
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From: jojobe Tx
I just wanted to update. I bought the mr gasket copperseal and they came with locking nuts. So far so good now i just have to tighten my collector bolts. Its seems that they have come loose.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Just a note, sometimes the 3/4" header bolts are not quite long enough to really secure the headers onto these aluminum heads. I used 1" allenhead socket bolts made out of S/S. They made torquing a breeze. I also used copper gaskets. Here is what they look like:
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
If you use copper gaskets and your heads are CLEAN, IE fresh off the CNC mill, they won't leak. If you get the bolts tight enough the gasket will compress and actually work somewhat like a lock washer. I haven't had a touch a header bolt in years, they just flat don't loosen any more. A hint is some ARP thread lube on the bolt threads, it will allow you to get them tighter.
If your head mating surfaces aren't perfectly clean though, forget abotu copper. Dead soft aluminum might do the trick, but I don't know that for sure.
If your head mating surfaces aren't perfectly clean though, forget abotu copper. Dead soft aluminum might do the trick, but I don't know that for sure.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Tomahawk WI
I have a blown header gasket. After talking to Hudson at summit, I went w/ the stage 8 bolts and Percy's aluminum gaskets. Hope it works. Should I clean the surfaces thoroughly before installing? The motor only has about 500 miles on it.
Thanks.
Thanks.
