[62restomod]

Getting ready to install block hugger headers on my hot rod. Bought a set of copper gaskets but now I don't know if I want to use them. 87 305 chev with square port aluminum heads, round port headers. Would different expansion/contraction rates between the copper gaskets and aluminum heads jepeordize sealing? Should the raised bead on the gasket face the head or the header? Looks like minimal sealing surface due to different port shapes.

Should I use the copper or get my 25 bucks back and buy stock exhaust manifold gaskets, or use the paper ones that came with the headers? Won't soaking the paper gaskets cause them to delaminate or come apart?

Thanks
Bud

[poncho62]

I use the stock manifold gaskets......The trick I think is to check your bolts for tightness regularly......

[2old2fast]

I used the mr. gskt header gskt. coated both sides w/ hi-temp silicone/copper ,works great ,no leaks or blowouts !!
dave

[oldbogie]

Originally Posted by 62restomod

Getting ready to install block hugger headers on my hot rod. Bought a set of copper gaskets but now I don't know if I want to use them. 87 305 chev with square port aluminum heads, round port headers. Would different expansion/contraction rates between the copper gaskets and aluminum heads jepeordize sealing? Should the raised bead on the gasket face the head or the header? Looks like minimal sealing surface due to different port shapes.

Should I use the copper or get my 25 bucks back and buy stock exhaust manifold gaskets, or use the paper ones that came with the headers? Won't soaking the paper gaskets cause them to delaminate or come apart?

Thanks
Bud

These should work just fine, I regularly use all metal exhaust gaskets be they copper or aluminum on both iron and aluminum heads to steel header flanges and even cast iron manifolds with no issues. A nice thing is if the bolts loosen the hot exhaust gasses will not burn the all metal gaskets as will happen with wire backed composition or paper.

The other gasket I've had sucess with is Remflex carbon gaskets, its weird but you'll find these under the LS/LT engines not under V8 http://catalog.remflex.com/category_s/159.htm

Bogie

[DoubleVision]

All I ever used is the stock manifold gaskets. These are made of mesh steel so they don't burn out easy. They're cheap, and best of all they're slotted so you don't have to remove the header bolts to install them. You just loosen the header bolts, pull the header away from the head, drop the gasket in and bolt it back up. Quick, simple and cheap. Can't beat that. Also worth mentioning in most cases if you have to remove the header for any reason you can reuse these same gaskets. I've reused one set up to three times without one leak.