Best Header Gaskets?

[Ol'Blue]

Been searching here on this topic for the best sealing gaskets and some of the info is a little dated so asking for a current comments.

Who make the best header gaskets? I am running stock 302 heads and Duff Long Tube Headers and blew through a set of paper Felpros with locking header bolts.

Looking for the metal conforming type and found these as some of the top contenders:

Reflex 3004 -
http://catalog.remflex.com/FORD_Header_Exhaust_Manifold_Gasket_p/3004.htm
Percy's 66014 -
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/php-66014
Mr. Gasket 4825 -
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-4825g

Any experience with these or other suggestions.

 

[5001craig]

My engine guy told be to go Remflex so that's what I did. I've been fighting header bolts loosening up and have lost two. No problems with the gasket when I lost them.

And as a side-note, the Totally Stainless header bolts I have but have not installed yet are supposed to fix my header-bolt-backing-out problem.

 

[bigcountry]

For header gaskets I use Mr Gasket ultra seals. They are great.

Are far as headers bolts backing out, I put Permatex ultra black on the ends of the bolts and I have never had one back out or seize up.

 

[bronconut73]

Dead soft copper and aluminum header gaskets are supposedly the best and reusable. They will fit and seal over some pretty knarly flanges.

But most gaskets are fine for us 4 wheelers. You have already headed down the real path. ....Header bolts backing out. There are numerous solutions like Stage 8 with their clips and Irish Mike's with the central Allen screw to spread the bolt out, and others. They all work. Bolts staying tight will keep even crappy gaskets alive for a very long time.

 

[jmangi62]

I've got the Percys with stage 8 locking bolts and so far they are fine,mildly built 302, w/hedman long tube headers,and FiTech EFI.

 

[benT]

I really like the Percy's dead soft aluminum for the SBF. I've had a set on my hot rod (302) and have probably had the headers on and off 20 times over the last 10 years and they still seal great and I've never had a leak. These are custom headers/pipe that are over 7 feet long so there is some weight on them and be never had any issues..

 

[nickgp]

Me Gasket soft aluminum

 

[nickgp]

Damn phone! MR. Gasket

 

[76 bronco J]

>>>> the best header gaskets I've used so far are the Earls pressure master gaskets (made by the parker-hannifin corporation for them)..... these have a aluminum(not dead soft ) retainer with replaceable graphite foil inserts.... http://www.jegs.com/i/Earls/361/29D03A/10002/-1 .... regular bolts with anti-seize don't loosen with these gaskets......>> .... the inserts are available as uncut centers as well as the standard inserts >>https://www.holley.com/products/gaskets/header_gaskets/parts/29D03A1ERL .... http://www.holley.com/29D03A2ERL.asp

 

[5001craig]

When Stage 8's wouldn't fit, I went with these:

 

[bobzilla]

I just put a set of stage 8 locking header bolts on mine and was a little surprised to find that I had to grind down the locking tabs to make them fit between the header and the bolt. One I couldn't get on at all, there was just no clerance.

 

[377]

Percy and Stage 8s have worked great for me. Did have to clearance a couple of the "locks" but they are all on there. Didn't mention but I'm running them on a mild 351w with Fitech also.

 

[73azbronco]

I have set of black fuzzy covered aluminum ones, seem to work great. Black fuzzy is i guess some form of asbestos like stuff.

 

[Ol'Blue]

I just put a set of stage 8 locking header bolts on mine and was a little surprised to find that I had to grind down the locking tabs to make them fit between the header and the bolt. One I couldn't get on at all, there was just no clerance.

I had to do the same thing with mine but they dont back out which is great! Just looking for the right gasket that wont blow out. Thanks for all the advise everyone. Looks like Percys in the lead for now.

 

[meadowblaster]

X2 on the Earl's gaskets with graphite inserts. Been using them for years with no leaks.

 

[SteveL]

I've had good luck with the copper gaskets. Coat both sides with black rtv and they stay sealed

 

[Dannyboy71]

Percys and stage 8,s for me as well.

 

[FordBronc]

Remflex gaskets and Nord-Lock washers. http://www.nord-lock.com/nord-lock/wedge-locking/washers/introduction/ Fastenal has them on a walk in.

 

[Ol'Blue]

In searching for gaskets for Remflex and Percy's, square and oval ports come up.

Do early stock heads have square or oval ports?

I don't recall when I had my headers off.

https://www.amazon.com/Percy-66014-...automotive&vehicleId=1&vehicleType=automotive

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/p...el=Bronco|633&Year=1977|1977&i=50&vehicleId=1




Thanks,

 

[gotdads68]

Gaskets? Ultra copper high temp RTV.