Clifford Exhaust Header Gasket

[New Lime 69]

Okay, so I have decided to try the Clifford Header until Mike can start selling his Header for the Low Starter 250 on a 69 Mustang. So I bought the Clifford setup and it comes with this suprisingly thick, white, plastic-like header gasket that is the oddist thing I think I have ever seen. The guy who sold it gave some song and dance about it being the best around since asbestos was used and the thing will be great.

Somehow, I doubt it will end up being as sensational as he indicated. In any case, has anyone tried using one of these oddball white header gaskets?

 

[mluck]

tried one when i got my header..had to replace it after a couple hundred miles,then i went with mike's... still on after 3 yrs

 

[falcon fanatic]

just took mine off last night. After several years of service, all six ports where leaking profoundly and the gasket was brittle and cracked in several places. Don't use it.

 

[New Lime 69]

How did I know that was gonna be the advice I was gonna receive! :roll:

Somewhere down deep I was hoping you folks were going to tell me that all will be fine and I was just being silly. Looks like I will be buying more stuff from Mike.

 

[matt1967]

Headder gaskets are almost always junk, some are decent. exhaust manifold gaskets work the best. always re torque after the headders get hot

 

[falcon fanatic]

Mikes is only like $10. I haven't received it yet, but in the pictures it looks like the factory ones I used to get for my honda autocross car. They where awesome and every time I tried to use anything else, it leaked.

 

[mugsy]

When I bought my Cliffy 6-1 header it came with that white gasket for the collector. It lasted 3 years before it cracked and crumbled from the heat. Throw that POS away and get a "real" gasket.

tanx,
Mugsy 8)

 

[mysavioreigns]

not 100% related to the original question, but sorta on topic.

I just got my exhaust manifold in the mail, and I need to get a gasket. What do you suggest? I assume not the "house brand" at O'Reilly or something?

 

[New Lime 69]

MSR,
If you are talking about reusing the original exhaust manifold, I got my gasket from NAPA and was pleased with it until the manifold cracked (nothing to do with the gasket). Couldnt tell you what brand it was. If you have done the exhaust port modification on your head then I would start by looking at Mike's gasket since it would be better suited to the port divider. HTH.

 

[strat1960s]

New Lime,

Make sure your surfaces are perfectly smooth and flat. I have the Clifford headers and I go through header gaskets about every three or four months. I've tried the Clifford gaskets, a composite gasket from Flatout and Mike's gaskets. Mike's gaskets last the longest. If yolur surfaces are not smooth and flat you'll go through a lot of gaskets until you get the surfaces machined flat. In the mean time you run the risk of warping your headers.
sorry for the gloom and doom.

Ted

 

[powerband]

I haven't seen the "White" Header gaskets.


Header gaskets are available directly from Hooker / Holley Products as well as Summit Racing. The Header gaskets have a totally different center - siamese port to match the PD. I think they are the same, composite gaskets. I spray them with copper sealer like metal head gaskets and use star washers on small head - header bolts. don't overtighten and re- tighten for life of car ... Still get minor leaks but seems temp/xpansion related.. OEM Cast Iron manifold setup usually used no gasket because of this...


Hooker Headers have a raised sealing surface on the outer tubes like a metal O-Ring. I questioned some old timer and was told NOT to grind this flat...



Powerband