Superformance header...gasket or not?

[wanab5150]

I have Superformance #2769 with a Roush 427/AFR heads. It developed a slight leak between the head and header that was audible. Upon removing the header, I found Permatex seal, BUT NO GASKET!

I'm curious whether or not gaskets are used and if so, what is the brand and part number.

This developed last night so none of the businesses are open and I need to get this thing back together before next weekend if not sooner.

What's the general consensus on whether or not gaskets are used. I know I can call FE Specialities, Superformance etc. on Tuesday, but if Permatex is the standard then I can just fix it today if I get some answers.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[pgermond]

Gaskets........ copper gaskets....... Summit Racing is where I got mine.

[Calbullet]

Tom, try Remflex gaskets.

[Chilibit]

I think mine is assembled with Ultra Copper from Permatex. Works fine.

[Got the Bug]

Mine was also assembled with permatex, which failed in one spot after about 6k miles. A local hot rod shop installed exhaust gaskets and changed out the original bolts to 3/8" heads for easier access.

[scottj]

GE clear silicone from Home Depot and no gaskets...

[wanab5150]

Doug, does Fel Pro #1487 ring a bell. AFR recommends it for the big port heads on their site but no one will answer the phone (Saturday).

Heading up to Summit in Reno to pick them up in the morning unless I find out something different. Car has 8500 miles with NO issues till now. Snakes to the lake next weekend....gotta get on it.

Even if i find out something else I can take them back later.

[madmaxx]

You absolutely need a gasket, Summit part number FPP-1415 cost $21.95. It is a fel pro part number, might be able to buy local.

[madmaxx]

Temps at header get upwards of 700F, no silicone sealant will last at those temps and do not use sealant with the gaskets. How the sheet does an installer not use exhaust manifold gaskets. Bewildering.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by wanab5150

Doug, does Fel Pro #1487 ring a bell. AFR recommends it for the big port heads on their site but no one will answer the phone (Saturday).

Heading up to Summit in Reno to pick them up in the morning unless I find out something different. Car has 8500 miles with NO issues till now. Snakes to the lake next weekend....gotta get on it.

Even if i find out something else I can take them back later.

Tom,

The receipt I have indicates that they used FP1260.

[Got the Bug]

Tom - just sent you a PM.

[Xavier]

wanabe,

You are going to hear a great deal of different things, I have been through this, and it seems like what will work for one car, may not work for another. I tried many combinations, everything suggested starting with the easiest most economical first. After trying the "book" I went with a Copper gaskets, no embossing, with Hi-Temp permatex - gaskets came from BlowProof.

[wanab5150]

I finally found the correct gasket recommended by AFR on their site for the 205 heads. They show Fel Pro#1487. They have a 1.6 x1.4 exhaust port and this is the port size on the gasket as well.

Thanks for the PM Doug....I talked to him this morning . He was working on his own car and was not open to the public. He was very vague stating that a lot of installers do in fact use the Permatex with no gasket. I asked directly if he used gaskets and he said most of the time??? I could not nail him down and he said you could not buy the gaskets he uses at any commercial auto parts store. He was very confusing and non-committal. I told him I would come over on Tuesday ...his response was"I don't even know if I have any". Maybe he makes them himself for special applications.

Mad Maxx,the #1415 Fel Pro gasket is for the small port 185cc heads or with the older style (NON-402) size header found on so many 427 Roush motors before the switch to the "402" size header that fit the Roush AFR / 205 chamber heads.

Also Doug I can't find any spec on the #1260 other than an intake manifold by Fel Pro. It's probably I'm just not looking in the right place.

I'm still listening .....Xavier, you're right....many answers, and probably all correct......except the clear silicone thing.

[Jim Norris]

Tom, before driving up to Summit you might try Tognotti's on Fulton. They should have Fel Pro.

[ekrupa2]

I have copper gaskets...no sealant. No leaks thus far..but I do plan on switching to Remflex gaskets when i do find the need to change. The collector gaskets are top notch as they compress eliminating the need for retorquing. So far after one season their claims are holding true.

[madmaxx]

I will tell you a little secret, I have the same engine as yours and the gasket on my engine has felpro fel-1415 stamped on it and was installed by an installer that has installed more engines in SPF than anyone, Performance engineering / dynamic motorsports.

[madmaxx]

Oh, and never ever had a leak, gotta go crack open another one, time to watch apocolypse now

[madmaxx]

wanabe,

Sorry just read you post in detail. I have the 1415 installed on mine. I am plowed right now, let me know if the new gaskets are a perfect match on exhaust ports, mine looked perfect but who knows, looking forward to see if you find a better fit if so I will yank mine off and try something else. In know one thing I dont need any more power.

[wanab5150]

The 1415 gaskets are the correct size for the old Superformance headers that everyone used before (right). They are 1.48 tall and 1.25 wide....the "402" headers used mostly after car #2600 use the "402's" for ALL Roush motors and they are 1.62 tall and 1.42 wide fitting the Roush / AFR head.

The photos show both headers. When you look on the top of the flange near the firewall you should see"402" stamped into it, if not, type in "Superformance Exhaust" in the search thread. The old style small headers choke your exhaust about 30 % or better.

The 402's are on the left and a set of the old SPF headers on the right that have been used on a Roush 427. You can see the overlap. An angioplasty is not going to help in this case....The 1415 gaskets seem to be the same size as the old header shown on the right.

[PANAVIA]

Tom -- sorry for the short conversation this AM. -- i was working on 3 hours slee...zzzzz sorry nodding off again .

I looked it up on several RO we use 1415 - or 1487 Fel-Pro Header Gaskets/.

was working on my fastback today -- it has a tight deadline.

--Steve