Al. header gaskets? Anyone used them?

[Rev]

I seem to develope header gasket leaks every 6 months or so. I may not be that good about retighteng the bolts often enough. By the time I hear that "tick, tick, tick" sound, the gaskets already blown. AutoZone sells those "dead soft" Al. gaskets for $40. They claim to be blow out proof and to be reusable. I'd be willing to pay the $40 if I was sure they would last and not be a waste of $$$.

Rev

[Rev]

Went ahead and bought them as well as Al. collector gaskets (another $17). If they seem worthwhile, I'll post it after a good long test period.

Rev

[~The Jester~]

I never had any luck with those Rev. I hope you do though!

I DID like the collector gaskets a bit better than the header gaskets, FWIW. I've had the best luck with Mr. Gasket header gaskets, and check the header bolts, and check them often.

Have ya thought about the "locking" header bolts? I'm dying to hear how those work. I like the idea, but holding off until I hear good/bad about them.

Good luck man!!!

[jimberg]

I prefer Earl's header gaskets. Haven't had one fail on me yet. As far as bolts go, I tried the Stage 8 locking bolts and they didn't really work well because you have to make sure things line up perfectly for the little locks to fit on the bolt and I wound up having to modify a bunch to get them to fit at all.

I'm in the middle of a head gasket repair so I decided to try some Breslin Performance Split-Lock Header Bolts. They look promising.

[Rev]

These are Percy's brand of Al. header gaskets (3 layers of soft Aluminum). They were a real bitch to install. The uncompressed gaskets are nearly 1/8 inch thick. I couldn't move the header flange far enough away from the exhaust port flange to get them in on the passenger side. After almost ruining these $40 gaskets trying to wedge them in, I finally flatened the frontmost portion a little with a hammer (very lightly, tap,tap, tap) to compress it a little. That finally, after an hour or two of struggling, allowed me to fit the SOB in. Needless to say, what should have been a fairly straight forward job, turned in to a PITA job. The good news is that they don't leak now. I'll see how well they hold up for a few months and report back.

Rev

[Gearhead999]

I've used the "Stage 8" locking header bolts or six or so engines that I've built. They are the best. The bolts don't back out and the gaskets last a long time.

Downside...they are a PIA to deal with in tight quarters. I think they are worth it.

You install them like you would any other header bolt. But, don't put the locks on yet. Drive the car some and then let it cool and retighten the bolts. I go the second time for a week or so, depending on how much driving I'm doing, and tighten them for a third time. Then I install the locks. They're the best. T's up.

[~The Jester~]

That's some good info right there guys!!! Pay attention, cuz I sure am.