Installing a header gasket

rtstrack · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 05:54 PM

My old header gasket was litterally crumbling and I noticed a major piece missing from around one of the bolts. So after a visit to napa, and finding that they didn't have a gasket in stock, and it would take a few days to get here, etc I bought a sheet of the gasket material and am planning on cutting out a gasket and installing myself. Seems pretty straight forward, but are there any tricks I should be aware of? After i have the gasket cut out do I need any gupe to put on the header of the gasket, or can i just line up the bolts and tighten away? Thanks for the help in advance.

Ryan

flipscobra · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 06:48 PM

No you need not apply gasket sealer. but if it was me I would use the copper header gaskets, they are better an they are reusable. Most any hotrod shop has them. I use them on my 427 FE an havent had any problems.

pgermond · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 07:45 PM

Ditto - go with the copper gasket...... that is, unless you really enjoy replacing them. SCE Gasket, part #4034 for Ford FE.... available from Summit.

rtstrack · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 08:07 PM

I guess I would but I don't think they would work. My headers appear to be "cobb jobbed". Of course i'm not expert, but they seemed to be messed up, and i'd rather not deal with buying new pipes at the moment. What I mean by "messed up" is that on each header there are 4 square openings with a bolt hole on top, bottom, left and right. well the left and right bolt holes are all over the place. Some are high, low, one is almost drilled off of the header. So don't think I can use a standard gasket, because the holes wouldn't line up. Or if I did I would only be able to line up the top and bottom holes. Would that work?

flipscobra · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 03:13 PM

Them are the only 2 you need to use, thats all I am using.

flipscobra · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 03:18 PM

LSC 427 is that chevrolet, mine is a 427 FE, but you still just need the 2 bolts that line up

SantaFe66 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 05:31 PM

Look into these:

www.remflex.com

If they still leak after using those, you've got some seriously messed up headers and should probably replace them.

Paul

tcrist · #8 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 06:09 PM

The bolt pattern on the head is going to match the header gasket no matter haw many holes are in your header as long as you get the correct gasket. I would not make my own. If you are not going to use the copper gasket I would go to as many auto part stores as needed to get the correct ones. Some one has to have them. I would not use any type of sealer on the header gasket. I have never seen one that had any sealer on it. Of course I have not seen everything.

Terry

FWB · #9 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 07:56 PM

the extra holes on the headers are for fitting on other fe engines. 390 gt
and some 428 cobra-jet heads. the gaskets will work fine with the upper and lower holes only. with that being said does your head have these holes in it also
if so then buy copper gaskets for 428 or 390 gt. the extra holes were for factory exhaust manifold fastening due to not much material to make a seal
with the cast exhaust manifolds.

Fred

undy · #10 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 06:05 AM

With the thin header flanges (1/8" to 3/16") that most Cobra mfrs use you're much better off to use a copper header gasket like SCE (that's what I use). The flanges tend to distort and move around somewhat. Any paper/composition gasket, hand made or not, is going to fail eventually. Do yourself a favor and go copper. Also, use a set of Stage 8 locking header bolts. They will help control flange leaks too. As stated, it's all available through Summit or Jegs.

Dave

flipscobra · #11 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 06:36 AM

When I got my SPF 427 FE it had compisition gaskets with sealer on them, I switched to copper, havent had any problems at all. I bought them at a napa store



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