Header gaskets
Thread Starter
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 90
From: San Diego CA
Header gaskets
I just bought a set of American Racing Headers and will be installing soon. They came with a new set of gaskets.
I have read several threads over my years on this forum about re-using the original gaskets. I have read some that have said to reuse the old gaskets and not new ones; and I have read the opposite where others say if you got new gaskets you should go ahead and use them.
My instinct is to use the new ones rather than the compressed old ones. But I would like to hear your opinion about doing this if you have installed a set of headers; So please chime in. I don't want to go through the install and end up with a leak which requires taking everything apart again.
I have read several threads over my years on this forum about re-using the original gaskets. I have read some that have said to reuse the old gaskets and not new ones; and I have read the opposite where others say if you got new gaskets you should go ahead and use them.
My instinct is to use the new ones rather than the compressed old ones. But I would like to hear your opinion about doing this if you have installed a set of headers; So please chime in. I don't want to go through the install and end up with a leak which requires taking everything apart again.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
I'm sure AR comes with good, metal gaskets.
Some come with a thick, compressed paper type gasket, which is total junk and should be thrown away immediately.
As long as you're using a metal gasket you should be fine.
Some come with a thick, compressed paper type gasket, which is total junk and should be thrown away immediately.
As long as you're using a metal gasket you should be fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 3
From: CA
Do not use the paper ones. If you have the new ones (non paper) go ahead and use them. Don't forget to make sure the mating surfaces are clean. Oh and just a quick TIP: remove the sparks plugs prior to starting your project. The plugs can easily be damaged when swaping headers/manifolds. Trust me, I know.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 265
Likes: 3
From: Metamora, IL
Go to your local GM dealer and buy a set of OE gaskets. They are about $12 each and will not leak or require constant retorqueing. Put them on, run it through one heat cycle and retorque. Done. You will never need to touch them again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 14
I've owned
1999 SS Camaro
2002 SS Camaro
2006 A6 C6
2006 M6 C6
2008 M6 C6
All of them had full LT's (among many other mods).
I have never used anything other than the original gaskets with zero issues. On my 99SS, I even changed the exhaust 3 times and resued the exact same set. It's up to you-
1999 SS Camaro
2002 SS Camaro
2006 A6 C6
2006 M6 C6
2008 M6 C6
All of them had full LT's (among many other mods).
I have never used anything other than the original gaskets with zero issues. On my 99SS, I even changed the exhaust 3 times and resued the exact same set. It's up to you-
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 995
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Beach VA
Kooks...
came w/ felt type mat'l if I recall, prob. have sittin' somewhere, but there's an overwhelming school of thought for OEMs, & I agree, as that's what I used, actually reused the orig. ones, w/ ZERO issue after a 3-4 years.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 84
From: Woodlands (houston) TX
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
I've already got my longtubes and metal gaskets.
Last edited by FloydSummerOf68; Apr 6, 2011 at 09:10 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 918
Likes: 47
From: Northborough MA
wow...
For the $$$$ they both charge, the least they could do is supply quality gaskets. I hate when companies claim to be all about "the best quality" and then insult you with cheap components...and advertise that they give you free extra's
For the $$$$ they both charge, the least they could do is supply quality gaskets. I hate when companies claim to be all about "the best quality" and then insult you with cheap components...and advertise that they give you free extra's
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
I didn't like the look of mine. I said earlier that I used stock GM gaskets but I was wrong. I used the ?felpro? ones from autozone. The stock gaskets looked used so I went with the 2000 LS1 Camaro/Corvette gaskets that Anthony at LG suggessted I go with. He said they make a better seal. I would replace them. You might go that way too after you see what the stockones look like. I really don't see why people are making a big deal that LG, AR, and Kooks don't come with the worlds best gaskets. Not like its a big deal to get your own.
Thread Starter
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 90
From: San Diego CA
I didn't like the look of mine. I said earlier that I used stock GM gaskets but I was wrong. I used the ?felpro? ones from autozone. The stock gaskets looked used so I went with the 2000 LS1 Camaro/Corvette gaskets that Anthony at LG suggessted I go with. He said they make a better seal. I would replace them. You might go that way too after you see what the stockones look like. I really don't see why people are making a big deal that LG, AR, and Kooks don't come with the worlds best gaskets. Not like its a big deal to get your own.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas