Header Gaskets

kennythewelder said:

I have a set of Percy seal for life gaskets hanging on a hook on the wall of my shed. They didn't make 6 months on my truck. If you use the Felpro HEADER gaskets, part number 1404, you should be good, or that is what I use and have had good results, but like I say they need to be header gaskets, NOT exhaust manifold gaskets!!!!!, there is a big difference.

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I didn’t know there was a difference. They look the same to me.
Could you explain the difference to me between the felpro header gaskets and the felpro exhaust manifold gasket?

IIRC I think I’m running the 1405...

Deathpunch0311 said:

I didn’t know there was a difference. They look the same to me.
Could you explain the difference to me between the felpro header gaskets and the felpro exhaust manifold gasket?

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Header gaskets, are thicker, and have a metal core, where exhaust gaskets, have a fiber core. Header gaskets are designed for more heat, and to hold more exhaust gas pressure. Mr gasket header gaskets are a close second, but IMO Felpro header gaskets are better. I have had shorty headers on my truck for a long time. Since 2010 I guess. I have tried a lot of different gaskets, and for me Felpro header gaskets have held up better than any other gaskets I have tried. I'm getting 3 to 4 years out of a set of Felpro header gaskets.

This is what I'm running. They are almost twice as thick as exhaust maniflod gaskets.
https://www.amazon.com/FEL-PRO-INC-...1404&qid=1537316280&s=Automotive&sr=1-2-fkmrn

This is what's great about the sbc. There is so much aftermarket support and enough variety in parts materials and designs that everyone can find what works for them.

Me and Kenny both swear that our favorites are the best and they're completely different.

slowburb said:

This is what's great about the sbc. There is so much aftermarket support and enough variety in parts materials and designs that everyone can find what works for them.

Me and Kenny both swear that our favorites are the best and they're completely different.

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I could not agree more. What works for me, may or may not work for you.

I’ll give the felpros another shot. But the actual header gasket.
One because I’m a cheap ass and two I’m inpatient. If they go out again then I’ll go the other route

Just be sure they are the performanc header gaskets. I also torque my header bolts to about 25 foot pounds I think. The bolts I can not get a socket in, I use a cheater pipe on a wrench. I use a grade 8 header bolt. Have used a grade 5 header bolt before, but have also rounded the head over, and had to remove with vise grips. I have a set of ARP grade 8 header bolts in my shed for next time I have a leak. I will replace the bolts then again.

I bought the 1404s off amazon.
I am using the header bolts that came with my headers.
I tighten mine in a sequence then torque to spec. Have a few that sometimes back out. Been thinking about how to stop that from happenening. I’ve read of some people that have put locktite on their header bolts

I looked into using locktight. We remove a lot of stuck and broken bolts at work. The first thing we do is heat the part to remove any locktight. I asked the lead machinest here about using locktight on my header bolts a while back. He said its a waste of time because of the amount of heat they see. Is he rite or wrong IDK, but I respect his wisdom and experience enough to follow his advice. Just thought I would pass that info on. I have also be advised to retorque the header bolts after a few runs, because the heat will effect the gaskets, the header flange, the bolts, and the head matting surface. By retorquing the bolts, after a few runs, it helps to reseat everything. Again, just passing along advice. Maybe thats why I get 3 or 4 years out of a set of gaskets, IDK.