Header Gasket Troubles..

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RichardJ916

RichardJ916

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Location
Howell Michigan
1972 Duster 360 motor,
Yesterday driving home from the neighborhood I head the sound of a leaky header, when I looked at the bolts I noticed that the 2nd one was almost all the way out. I thought I could just re tighten and be good to go, but nope it was bad. I noticed that there has been a lot of information on Remflex Gaskets. I am wondering if you all may give some advise on which one to get. Or should I just call and ask. Please help.

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I have always had good luck with Fel Pro #1413 gaskets What type of gasket are you running now?
 
Fel Pro gaskets, soak them in water slightly so they swell just a little. Install them with high temp silicone around the ports. Tighten the bolts, let the gaskets dry & tighten the bolts again. Heat cycle the motor once or twice & tighten the bolts again.
 
Remflex are all I use anymore. They're more expensive, but you can do the job once and be done with it.
 
Steven190 said:
I have always had good luck with Fel Pro #1413 gaskets What type of gasket are you running now?
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Mr. Gasket 5949 Ultra Seal, they have been on the car since I put the motor in a few years back, maybe it was just time to replace em. I noticed #2 bolt was ready to fall out, maybe I should check em more often.
 
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I use a gasket that compresses. I have had the headers off three times with the same gaskets and no leaks. Never could get a seal with any of the standard type. To many imperfections in the header flange. If you are interested I will go find the name brand. They seal on less than perfect situations.
 
I have had great luck with Percy’s gaskets. They are aluminum.
 
blewbyoutobad said:
I use a gasket that compresses. I have had the headers off three times with the same gaskets and no leaks. Never could get a seal with any of the standard type. To many imperfections in the header flange. If you are interested I will go find the name brand. They seal on less than perfect situations.
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Sure please let me know...
 
I have remflex on my slant six. My slant has headers on it and I have taken them off 2 times with no leaks.
 
Another vote for Remflex. I've been using them for years and never had a problem and never had to retighten...
 
sometimes the less expensive headers will reduce mfg. costs by using thinner header flanges, which can become problematic to seal. One trick you can try, is to weld a short piece of 5/16" or 3/8" key stock along the top side of the (middle two)header tubes/ outside of flange to make it more rigid and less-prone to "banana" the flange surface when you tighten the bolts.
 
Installed Percy's for both at heads and collectors/reducerss on a set of Doug's. Thick flanges for both collector and head, as well as reducers and extensions. Retorqued after some initial run time as instructed, no leaks at all. Have swapped extensions for running at the strip and the reducers on full exhaust countless times. Percy's installed following the instructions, with thick flanges all around and no issues here
 
RichardJ916 said:
I noticed #2 bolt was ready to fall out, maybe I should check em more often.
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Hey Richard, either one from post #16, and I would suggest Stage 8 locking fasteners (header bolts).

I used the Stage 8 on mine and have had no issues with anything backing out............because they can't, lol.
 
RichardJ916 said:
Mr. Gasket 5949 Ultra Seal, they have been on the car since I put the motor in a few years back, maybe it was just time to replace em. I noticed #2 bolt was ready to fall out, maybe I should check em more often.
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I would say tha,t thats what happens if you dont go over the headerbolts from time to time,all the heatcykles on the headers and bolts will back them out after enough time. Mr Gasket Ultra Seals tend to be good gaskets.
 
Here's the ones I used, they are by Remflex. They can be mishandled and damaged as they are soft when new, but once on they allow for many uniformities. Best $43 bucks I ever spent and have resused them 3 times already. I just leave them stuck to the heads. Read here for installation and description. COLLECTOR/CONNECTOR Flange Exhaust Gasket
V8
 
Update on Header Gaskets, 100% perfect choice in gaskets Remflex6003 did the trick. No more leaks with them installed.
 
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