header leak, quality gaskets?

rwhite65 · 05-08-2007, 09:07 PM

I finally got the Windsor SR aluminum heads on the car, and it fired right off pretty quickly. Problem is I cant get the #5 cylinder to seal up. I can hear and feel a little air escaping from the upper header flange area. I am using the Felpro gaskets recommended by World Products, but I am debating on doubling up on gaskets for that side. Anyone have any tips, or recommended gaskets? I have never had troubles getting a header to seal up, but theses dang heads have fought me the whole way. Spark plug clearance issues, plug wire boot clearance issues.........these things better scream!

88workcar · 05-13-2007, 09:39 PM

No Gasket, RED HIGH TEMP RTV will do it. Works every time.

rwhite65 · 05-14-2007, 03:32 AM

Good to hear, I thought I had seen where guys have used RTV before. I will keep everyone posted.
Thanks,
Ryan

Rev · 05-14-2007, 08:58 PM

I always had header leaks every 10,000-20,000 miles or so. The last time I installed headers, I used multi-layered aluminum gaskets from (please don't laugh) Auto-Zone. They were Percy's at about $40. They were somewhat of a bitch to install as they were very thick (1/8" at least uncompressed). So far, (20,000 miles) no leaks and no retightening. Let's just hope it lasts.

Rev

bailey_57 · 05-17-2007, 06:29 AM

Definitely Percy's, i've blown out at least a half dozen sets of the felpro ones i've got 10,000 on the percy's with no problems.

rwhite65 · 05-17-2007, 08:19 AM

Well, I found that the header flange where it meets the head is not the highest quality. Using the old gasket, I could see where the air was getting by. With the news heads having such larger ports, the short comings of these headers are now being brought to my attention.

I put a new Fel pro on it for now, and used red RTV to help fill in where the header flange needed a little help. Let it set up over night and hoping to test fire it off this morning.

Ryan

05-08-2007, 09:07 PM	#1
rwhite65 Ride Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wyoming IL Posts: 1,094	header leak, quality gaskets? I finally got the Windsor SR aluminum heads on the car, and it fired right off pretty quickly. Problem is I cant get the #5 cylinder to seal up. I can hear and feel a little air escaping from the upper header flange area. I am using the Felpro gaskets recommended by World Products, but I am debating on doubling up on gaskets for that side. Anyone have any tips, or recommended gaskets? I have never had troubles getting a header to seal up, but theses dang heads have fought me the whole way. Spark plug clearance issues, plug wire boot clearance issues.........these things better scream! __________________ 65 Fastback 91 roller 306, H/C/I AOD-Bauman, PI Stallion, 4.10's and traction loc 04 Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition 79 Ford F-250 4x4 - Restored

05-13-2007, 09:39 PM	#2
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	Re: header leak, quality gaskets? No Gasket, RED HIGH TEMP RTV will do it. Works every time. __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

05-14-2007, 03:32 AM	#3
rwhite65 Ride Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wyoming IL Posts: 1,094	Re: header leak, quality gaskets? Good to hear, I thought I had seen where guys have used RTV before. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks, Ryan __________________ 65 Fastback 91 roller 306, H/C/I AOD-Bauman, PI Stallion, 4.10's and traction loc 04 Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition 79 Ford F-250 4x4 - Restored

05-14-2007, 08:58 PM	#4
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Re: header leak, quality gaskets? I always had header leaks every 10,000-20,000 miles or so. The last time I installed headers, I used multi-layered aluminum gaskets from (please don't laugh) Auto-Zone. They were Percy's at about $40. They were somewhat of a bitch to install as they were very thick (1/8" at least uncompressed). So far, (20,000 miles) no leaks and no retightening. Let's just hope it lasts. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

05-17-2007, 08:19 AM	#6
rwhite65 Ride Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wyoming IL Posts: 1,094	Re: header leak, quality gaskets? Well, I found that the header flange where it meets the head is not the highest quality. Using the old gasket, I could see where the air was getting by. With the news heads having such larger ports, the short comings of these headers are now being brought to my attention. I put a new Fel pro on it for now, and used red RTV to help fill in where the header flange needed a little help. Let it set up over night and hoping to test fire it off this morning. Ryan __________________ 65 Fastback 91 roller 306, H/C/I AOD-Bauman, PI Stallion, 4.10's and traction loc 04 Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition 79 Ford F-250 4x4 - Restored

05-17-2007, 06:29 AM	#5
bailey_57 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Berwick,Pa Posts: 127	Re: header leak, quality gaskets? Definitely Percy's, i've blown out at least a half dozen sets of the felpro ones i've got 10,000 on the percy's with no problems. __________________ '89 GT hatch back performer rpm intake, performer rpm cylinder heads, fms e-303 cam, kirban adj fp regulator, holley 65mm tb, harland sharp 1.6 roller rockers, alum driveshaft, 3.73 gears (283 rwhp, 303 rwtq new numbers with new heads)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Al. header gaskets? Anyone used them?	Rev	Windsor Power	6	09-15-2006 09:01 PM
Header gaskets	Stang951	Windsor Power	18	11-01-2002 05:57 PM
HEADER GASKETS	91blownpony	Windsor Power	5	01-26-2001 08:27 PM
Head Gaskets, Header Gaskets, Intake Gaskets, etc	AxemanZZ	Windsor Power	8	01-11-2001 01:09 PM
Tri-y Header Quality	289Eric	Classic Mustangs	2	08-23-1999 02:32 AM