Greg,

Have you looked into Cometic gaskets? I've had mine on for a while with no leaks? even reused the same ones when I swapped motors.

 

No. Since mine blew and I didn't have a lot of time, I just went with a name I recognized (Mr. Gasket.) But since I have to drop the pipes to remove the tranny pan to get to the filter/band, I'll no doubt have a chance to look into them.

As to re-using them? they're only $7 a pair so it's not worth the risk. What you can't do is use any sort of liquid gasket such as Permatex as they won't stand up to the heat generated.

Thanx for the heads up though. With my luck there won't be a dealer here and shipping will be $389 :roll:

greg

 

Greg,

I could order then and USPS them to you? Just let me know if I can help.

IndyD

 

Thanx, I'll keep that in mind Indy! Appreciate it!

greg

 

One of mine blew out awhile back. Maybe 2 months after getting them. I replaced them with whatever the shop had in stock.

 

I'll contact Mike Leach and let him know, maybe there's a faulty batch?not normal.

greg

 

I'd definitely recommend not reusing any type of exhaust gaskets
Steve
DOC Pres

 

They didn't have that much wear Steve. FYI.

 

Definitely my take as well.

I just spoke with Mike Leach and passed on that there were at least 2 boown gaskets. He said to make sure the pipe's ends are flush and, other than that, he'll keep an eye out on that batch of gaskets. If anyone else has a blown gasket or other problems, please call Mike Leach or, if you prefer, post here and I'll forward it to Mike.

greg

 

They didn't have that much wear Steve. FYI.

ROTFL. No kidding :!: LOL

IndyD

Just ribbin' ya (again) John!!

 

In your case, no John. But for others, after some moderate use, they should never reuse them.
The most important thing with header gaskets is alignment and retightening!
Make sure they're aligned square to each other and retorque them after several heat and cool cycles as the slightest leak will develop into a bad leak!
Steve
DOC Pres

 

I didn't torque for lack of space.

greg

 

You must find a way to retorque Grasshopper. Natural movement and expansion and contraction will occur for a bit of time.
Steve
DOC Pres

 

Are we talking about the headers now? :lol:

greg

 

All header bolts! Both on the heads and the collectors.
Steve
DOC Pres

 

On the heads, they were torqued. On the collectors, it was by feel.

greg

 

Take it from someone who's on his third set of gaskets, I retorque every six months!

 

To what setting?

greg

 

For what it's worth, the JBA headers and Y-pipe mate with a ball/socket type of connection requiring no gasket. I'd have thought the PPHs would have the same setup?

 

They do but, on the driver's side, the collector goes into a short pipe which then fits into the Y-pipe. It's the gasket between that pipe and the collector that blew.

greg

 

Sounds like a pain. The Prez has me all nervous with the "torque" talk. I haven't touched my headers in 3 plus years. They've been on for about 31k miles though so I'm sure they've heated and cooled all they will and have just settled in to their locations.

 

Headers

Not torqued you guys, tight! Header and flange gaskets don't fail if tight and mated properly. I've never had one fail. My formula is, after installation check all the bolts

1. After first heat cool cycle
2. After 1 week
3. After 2 weeks
4. After 1 month
5. After 6 months
6. Once a year or every tune up

Bolts stretch and gaskets compress. It's critical that the flanges be mated properly. I usually hit the flanges with an impact butterfly and hold the nut with a wrench. Header bolts are 5/16 12 point and best tightened by hand with a small box end wrench. Just tighten until the resistance curve gets steep. You don't want to break one.

Bill

 

Not torqued you guys, tight!

That's what I did as there's no way to torque all the flange bolts. They were tight yet two people had blown gaskets. I passed it on to Mike Leach and he said to let him know if that ocurrs and which side (driver or passenger.)

greg

 

Re: Headers

Not torqued you guys, tight! Header and flange gaskets don't fail if tight and mated properly. I've never had one fail. My formula is, after installation check all the bolts

1. After first heat cool cycle
2. After 1 week
3. After 2 weeks
4. After 1 month
5. After 6 months
6. Once a year or every tune up

Bolts stretch and gaskets compress. It's critical that the flanges be mated properly. I usually hit the flanges with an impact butterfly and hold the nut with a wrench. Header bolts are 5/16 12 point and best tightened by hand with a small box end wrench. Just tighten until the resistance curve gets steep. You don't want to break one.

Bill

I've got a set of two Craftsman wrenches just for my headers - just haven't touched them in 3 years. The first 2 years though, they were "tightened" quite a few times!