Header Problems and Question

[fomocoguy]

I ran into the same exact problem on my crew. I bought three sets of expensive gaskets and they all leaked. I finally figured out that I was using the wrong gaskets, and that I needed to find gaskets tailored to the header type, not the engine or the ports. If you decide you want the right gaskets to fit your headers, you absolutely have to get a set of weld bead type gaskets that are made to fit specifically tight to the raised bead that is on your mounting flange. The "ears" on my headers were bent in too, but a set of remflex gaskets like robroy showed you in his post totally took care of the problem. There is more than a good chance that a set of these gaskets will last longer than it will take for your headers to rot out. If you want to spend another $400 on a set of good headers than by all means have at it, but if you'd rather make yours work than here's the link: http://catalog.remflex.com/FORD_Header_ ... rf3050.htm
They crush enough to fill any gaps due to bent flanges, and they GAURANTEE it or your money back. Good luck!

EDIT: Hey,I just noticed that you said you went ahead and bought some new headers. Just keep in mind that being headmans they will probably have the same type of flange (at least I know that my headmans do and so do robroys). You will still need weld bead type header gaskets. Hopefully they will come with a set.

[dustman_stx]

I ran into the same exact problem on my crew. I bought three sets of expensive gaskets and they all leaked. I finally figured out that I was using the wrong gaskets, and that I needed to find gaskets tailored to the header type, not the engine or the ports. If you decide you want the right gaskets to fit your headers, you absolutely have to get a set of weld bead type gaskets that are made to fit specifically tight to the raised bead that is on your mounting flange. The "ears" on my headers were bent in too, but a set of remflex gaskets like robroy showed you in his post totally took care of the problem. There is more than a good chance that a set of these gaskets will last longer than it will take for your headers to rot out. If you want to spend another $400 on a set of good headers than by all means have at it, but if you'd rather make yours work than here's the link: http://catalog.remflex.com/FORD_Header_ ... rf3050.htm
They crush enough to fill any gaps due to bent flanges, and they GAURANTEE it or your money back. Good luck!

EDIT: Hey,I just noticed that you said you went ahead and bought some new headers. Just keep in mind that being headmans they will probably have the same type of flange (at least I know that my headmans do and so do robroys). You will still need weld bead type header gaskets. Hopefully they will come with a set.

I did get the Hedmans, and they work great. I'll be posting a comparison on them versus the Flowtech I've used.

[fomocoguy]

That's great! What gaskets did you use, or did they come with some?

[dustman_stx]

That's great! What gaskets did you use, or did they come with some?

They came with some, and seem to be pretty good ones. They match the ports exactly. Hedman recommends using a spray copper gasket sealant, which I did.