FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: mike7570 on April 27, 2022, 01:48:59 PM
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I was mocking up my engine and I was test fit some header tubes then I realized this is the first aluminum head engine I have put together.
What do you guys use for exhaust (header) gaskets? Any type better than others?
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remflex is the best ones i know of
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Another vote for Remflex. I've had really good luck with them. They aren't the only good header gaskets, but they're a solid choice and very forgiving.
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Yep Remflex (RFL3008) should seal about anything. Thick, soft, but the are a little fragile. I cut mine in a few spots and mount them individually with the flange. I also use Remflex (RFL-8003) where my collector bolts up to my exhaust (3 1/2" collector)
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Thick is not good, very little room with mustang shock tower. What about no gasket?
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When using no gasket, I use the high temp orange silicone sealer. Works very well for me. Sorry, I can't recall the brand name,
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I like the solid copper gaskets myself
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Mike, very nice project. I am an NHRA/NMCA FE racer utilizing aluminum heads in SuperStock. I do not use any gaskets or sealer, but, my headers have only the vertical bolt pattern and were constructed with .250 thick flanges with flatness checked after welding. This was/is my first attempt at running headers without gaskets and I can say that I have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of sealing after using this process for the past 10 years; previously I always used the Mr.G "super" exhaust gaskets, separated into 8 individual pieces. I also use the ARP SS 3/8x1, 12pt. 5/16" wrench-head bolts but on an FE it takes about 10 different 5/16" wrench configurations to complete the job. Good luck, looking forward to your first race.
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Thanks for the info, I think I will try no gaskets with a little high temp sealer, I need all the room I can get. My headers have thick separated flanges and I checked them for flatness before ceramic coat. I have installed FE headers in shock tower mustangs at least 6 or 7 times. I had the process down to 1 socket, 2 extensions and 2 combination wrenches. On my first Mustang I put in all 28 header bolts losing a lot skin in the process, now I will probably use just top and bottom.
Thanks, Mike
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Mike, very nice project. I am an NHRA/NMCA FE racer utilizing aluminum heads in SuperStock. I do not use any gaskets or sealer, but, my headers have only the vertical bolt pattern and were constructed with .250 thick flanges with flatness checked after welding.
I'm curious if the headers you use have the sealing bead around the port, or are they flat? The sealing bead seems like they would tend to warp the sealing surface when the "ears" are tightened down, at least when using no gasket. Just guessing at that though.
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Sanderson says not to use gaskets. Run a bead of hi temp silicon around each tube and let it harden over night, then install. I used permatex copper and it is still working.
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Mike, very nice project. I am an NHRA/NMCA FE racer utilizing aluminum heads in SuperStock. I do not use any gaskets or sealer, but, my headers have only the vertical bolt pattern and were constructed with .250 thick flanges with flatness checked after welding.
I'm curious if the headers you use have the sealing bead around the port, or are they flat? The sealing bead seems like they would tend to warp the sealing surface when the "ears" are tightened down, at least when using no gasket. Just guessing at that though.
No bead, they are flat.
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I use Felpro metal sandwich type header gaskets. Haven't had any issues with those. Granted, on the dragster they get applied with some high heat red RTV in places, but they work fine. Not as critical or long term installation as maybe a street car. But same have been on the Falcon 351C for several years.
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I also like the FelPro header gaskets, using them both on my aluminum headed 347 SBF, and my iron headed 427 and 428 drag engines. On my FPA headers, on the 428 in my 59, I used the supplied FPA gaskets, I am going to use the FelPro header gaskets now with the new TFS heads. To me, unless you have headers that you can install with the engine on the engine stand, using silicone on the flanges of the headers , with the engine installed, seems like a great way to just smear RTV all over the heads, header pipes, shock towers, and your hands. And unless both the head surfaces and the exhaust flanges are really straight, I can`t see the RTV being able to seal any voids with high temperature, high pressure exhaust gases.
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I'm curious if the headers you use have the sealing bead around the port, or are they flat? The sealing bead seems like they would tend to warp the sealing surface when the "ears" are tightened down, at least when using no gasket. Just guessing at that though.
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My flanges were water jet from .250 thick material and TIG welded completely on the inside and gap welded on the outside with a surface mill for final. Please understand that these headers are competition only and from inception they were intended to mount directly to the head. I would not suggest this method for the street in any way.
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Like Rory, I use the Felpro gaskets with good results. Also liked the Hooker supplied gaskets but never looked to see if they were available separately. I suppose the High Temp Silicone has it applications but hate the red mess before, during and after removal. An open header application will take less to seal than a muffler combination with considerable back pressure. Street cars need longevity where a race car can get by on a marginal gasket. I'm still going with the Felpro.
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Thanks for the info, I think I will try no gaskets with a little high temp sealer, I need all the room I can get. My headers have thick separated flanges and I checked them for flatness before ceramic coat. I have installed FE headers in shock tower mustangs at least 6 or 7 times. I had the process down to 1 socket, 2 extensions and 2 combination wrenches. On my first Mustang I put in all 28 header bolts losing a lot skin in the process, now I will probably use just top and bottom.
Thanks, Mike
the remflex gaskets are thick to start with but they compress to a bought the same thickness as any other gasket when installed i have all 32 bolts in mine
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I have never had a headers leak since i started using only silicone sealer in the 80s
never used a exhaustgasket on anything since