Best header gaskets?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
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From: Strongsville Ohio
Best header gaskets?
I have had my hooker long tubes on my 94 for over 4 years now I I cant remember a time where they didn't leak. I am interested in the shiney aluminum ones from lets say autozone or something? They are double thick.
I am tired of having exhaust gases in my engine bay, louder noise in there too, burnt gases on my valve covers, and or course the xtra heat if I don't need it. Has anyone ever fixed this issue I am having? I have had 3 different gaskets over the last 4 years, all failed or didnt seal correctly
I am tired of having exhaust gases in my engine bay, louder noise in there too, burnt gases on my valve covers, and or course the xtra heat if I don't need it. Has anyone ever fixed this issue I am having? I have had 3 different gaskets over the last 4 years, all failed or didnt seal correctly
Tech Contributor
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From: Annapolis MD
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: MOORESVILLE NC
I have an 88 with the L-98 engine. Previous owner had replaced the stock exhaust heads with "shorties". The paper exhaust gaskets cracked. The Aluminum OEM gaskets were expensive but I bought them any way. A few years later I got tired of using a special tool to remove one spark plug. I bought a set of salvage yard OEM exhausts and bought Fel-Pro exhaust gaskets for $25 for a set vs $50 for one side of the aluminum and they lasted for 12 years until I did some head cylinder work. They were in prefect condition when I removed them, not broken or cracked. That's just my story. Bought them from Summit.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Annapolis MD
If your LT1 has the stock heads and the headers you are buying are made for that particular motor, the gaskets shown in the above links will fit.
Brand : Percy's High Performance
Manufacturer's Part Number: 66031
Part Type: Exhaust Header and Manifold Gaskets
Product Line: Percy's Seal-4-Good Header Gaskets
Summit Racing Part Number: PHP-66031
UPC: 750140660311
Port Style: D-port
Gasket Material: Aluminum
Quantity: Sold as a pair.
Last edited by IAFF alumni; Feb 17, 2012 at 09:53 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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I've had good luck with both the copper and the dead soft aluminum gaskets. The key is getting them installed and tightened down properly the first time. I find a little bit of arp's assembly lube on the threads works wonders as well as the proper offset wrenches 
When I first installed my headers year ago I got 12 point stainless bolts. These were useless as I could not ever get them tight so most of them are on the side of the road SOMEWHERE in this town.
When I first installed my headers year ago I got 12 point stainless bolts. These were useless as I could not ever get them tight so most of them are on the side of the road SOMEWHERE in this town.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
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From: Woodstock Georgia
I put the Percy seal4good gaskets on mine when I swapped in the LT4 and Melrose longtube headers. I am very impressed with them, no problems whatsoever and I used standard header bolts, which have stayed tight and no leaks.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
Whatever gasket you use, spend some time with a straight flile and a straight edge and make sure the flanges are flat. When I had Hookers, it took me quite a while to file them flat. The Mexican made Hookers are pretty bad, even out of the box. I use the Mr Gasket metal sandwiched gasket and haven't had a problem. Have to retorque after a run or two.
