Kooks Paper Gaskets--good/bad?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Kooks Paper Gaskets--good/bad?
i installed 1 7/8" kooks back in march on an '02 z06, i used the supplied paper header gaskets; after 9k miles there seems to be a small leak, i plan on swapping in the oem gm steel gaskets on friday, anyone else have this problem?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 47,647
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From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I had a small leak on mine after 5k using the Kooks paper gasket. I had the headers tightened and it solved the problem. I recently got a set of AFR heads installed and replaced the gaskets with the factory ones to be safe.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Originally Posted by chriswtx
I used factory Fbody LS1 gaskets(the round ones) for the 1 7/8" headers. No leaks here.. 
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,215
Likes: 1
From: Mt Isle Harbor NC
Wow.... I'm glad I found this thread! I just installed mine this past weekend and I have a leak. Frick'n sucks. I have a loud ticking coming from my engine. I found where there was a carbon deposit on the head, so I tightened it up. The ticking isn't as loud now, but it is still there.
I'll try our the factory ones and report back.
I'll try our the factory ones and report back.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 358
From: West "By God" Virginia
CI 7-8-9-10 Veteran
Originally Posted by scaperman
I'm going to buy the 1 7/8 kooks headers this winter any other advice besides use the original gaskets
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
urban legend about the fbody gaskets, all the 97-00 c5's used round gaskets, i've got a stack of them from header installs///also think about the oval gaskets not fitting??? if it's an 01-04 which use the ovals, then the head port will match the oval gasket so wether you use round or oem oval it doesn't matter, you are sealing TWO SURFACES
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,215
Likes: 1
From: Mt Isle Harbor NC
Will my stock LS6 gaskets work with my 1 3/4 kooks?
By the way, on the install, here is my story! It is still on going, but it was worth it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&page=1&pp=20
These things are high quality, sound amazing, and give immediate SOTP hp!
By the way, on the install, here is my story! It is still on going, but it was worth it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&page=1&pp=20
These things are high quality, sound amazing, and give immediate SOTP hp!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by alex1217
I had a small leak on mine after 5k using the Kooks paper gasket. I had the headers tightened and it solved the problem. I recently got a set of AFR heads installed and replaced the gaskets with the factory ones to be safe.
Replacing with new "factory gaskets" is the best way to go, and, preferred over the mere (Kooks supplied) leaky "paper" gasket.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by CrazyCarl
I used the crappy kooks paper gaskets. They lasted all of 2K miles before a few leaks sprung up. Don't waste your time with them. They are a pain to scrape off afterwards.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 7
From: pine island ny
Originally Posted by REDLYNER
Will my stock LS6 gaskets work with my 1 3/4 kooks?
By the way, on the install, here is my story! It is still on going, but it was worth it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&page=1&pp=20
These things are high quality, sound amazing, and give immediate SOTP hp!
By the way, on the install, here is my story! It is still on going, but it was worth it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&page=1&pp=20
These things are high quality, sound amazing, and give immediate SOTP hp!