Also, use Remflex gaskets. They are the only ones that I've found that will last. They are made of 3/16 thick reinforced graphite and will compress quite a bit. I just bought a set yesterday because I had to repair a hairline crack in my header. I was able to re-use the old one I put on 2 years ago, so I have a new pair of 2 1/2" here if you need them.
well I fired it up, doesn't seem to be leaking. I'll just stick with this until I need to replace them, but when I need to replace I'll def look into the remflex. thanks.
they will blow out its only a matter of feet, feet you travel then they blow. I either have eliminated the flanges and simply joined the pipes or I once found a donut style gasket that fit in between and was more durable then the flat gaskets. I hate headers now but there was a time when I didn't own a vehicle that didn't have them. that's called getting old I think.
as well I find if you must have those flanges and the desire to remove the pipes I have welded the flanges to the pipes, this makes them far stronger and resistant to warping out of shape
ok thanks. well I'll wait and see how long they hold up for and if they fail then I'll look to do something like that. Ya I prob should have welded the flange to the reducer.
easiest way to guarantee no leaks on header gaskets is to take kitchen foil wrap, and fold to make a strip 1" wide, by however long.
Fold it around the inside diameter of the gasket hole, whether header or exit flange gaskets so you wind up with a 1/2" of foil on either side of the gasket.
Once clamped in place the foil fills any gaps, dissipates heat like crazy, and prevents burnout, and makes every gasket re - usable
alright lots of ideas to look at when if/when I blow out these gaskets. lol thanks everyone. I would like to be someone what removable from the headers. I do plan to swap out headers eventually just not exactly sure when. Someone on here is/was selling the exact same headers I have but ceramic coated I think. But they're pretty tight fit, some tubes have to be dinged in for clearance in a few areas.