Header Installation

[62 Comet]

Well, i have a header on the way ffor my 200, reasons being is i had a friend of mine give me 2 pretty much brand new flowmaster 40 series mufflers(louder on the inside than he wanted), and i seen some vids on youtube with the awesome split header and they sound real good so i went ahead and invested in the header, i cheaped out and got the mild ssteel unpainted ones, and am gonna paint it with John Deere muffler black, great stuff, have a bud who did it on his v8 headers and a couple years later they still look good.Prep is everything he told me

Anyways, my queation is should i use some hi-temp copper gasket goo while installing it?? I already invested in some hi-temp copper anti-seize for thhe bolts, which seemed like common sense.

Let me know what you think :thanks:

 

[Frankenstang]

Hi merccomet, just giving your post friendly bump to the top (although for some self-serving reasons as well)...I am also interested in any opinions, strong feelings, etc out there, particularly from those who've tried it both with and without sealant.

Looks like I might be experimenting with a set of headers myself (probably setup as single exhaust at first, converting to dual later). Headers were not originally part of my plan, but got a deal too good to resist. Anyway, I've never had to use sealant on regular manifolds when the surfaces are straight/true and properly prepped and cleaned, but wondering if it's different for headers?

Usually a fel-pro gasket and proper torque then re-torquing after a heating cycle or two does the trick for me with manifolds (also using good hardware (grade 8 bolts and lock washers, or origninal ford ramp-loc bolts...I'll be using the 'stage 8' bolts this time just to avoid any leaks), but not sure about header gaskets and sealent for these headers, either the mild steel or SS (which I think flex more during heating). Plus the CI gaskets appear to be metal on both sides, which is different from stock style, an improvement on sealing I would guess :|
So, to RTV or not to RTV :

 

[rbohm]

8) header flanges, regardless of who makes them and how well made they are, are prone to exhaust leaks. sometimes the problem is the gasket itself, sometimes it is the installation procedure, sometimes it is the head surface that is the problem.

there are a few different "fixes" as well;

1: you can make your own copper or aluminum gaskets, be sure to use some nice thick pieces of copper or aluminum if you do this.

2: some people have had success by soaking the fiber gasket in water overnight before they install the headers. the heat from running the engine helps set the gasket material.

3: you can use a variety of high temperature sealers on both sides of the gasket material. copper coat seems to work best in my opinion, either the brush on or spray on variety.

4: some people use locking fasteners, such as the stage 8 system, to lock the head bolts in place and prevent the from backing off during the various heat cycles the engine will go through.

5: some people use a combination of all of the above.

what ever you choose, remember that proper initial torque on the header bolts, and retorquing them after a couple of heat cycles will go a long way to preventing leaks later on.

 

[Frankenstang]

Thanks Rich, good info. Hope I didn't hijack your thread merccomet.

Is 'copper coat' a stand auto parts store over the counter item, or special outlet? Thanks again

 

[mysavioreigns]

At the advice of someone, I used that copper sealing gasket stuff, and I don't think I will use it again. A few years later, when I tried to remove the gasket, it was stuck on like superglue. Probably worked a little too well...

It came off, via chisel, but what a pain.

I hadn't heard those tips that rbohm mentioned; might have to try those next time.

 

[rbohm]

8) yes copper coat is available at most parts stores, it is a staple of gasket sealers. as for getting it off in a few years, there is another product you can use that works quite well getting old gasket sealer off metal parts, and it is called gasket remover. gaket remover is made by permatex. you just spray it on and let it sit for a couple of minutes, then scrape it off. be careful when using it not to get it on your skin, or any painted surface, as it will take off the skin, or the paint.

 

[mysavioreigns]

Well that would be a lot easier :rolflmao:

 

[62 Comet]

Nah, its alright with me Frankenstang, thanks for the tips guys, im gonna go look for some of that copper coat this evening

Thanks, Lee