Header Gaskets question(s)

[Rockett]

I'm going to replace my steering box soon & it looks like that job will require removing the header to get it out. I'll need new header gaskets then, correct?

Any recommendation on materials or brands or suppliers for header gaskets?
('69 Road Runner, 383 4bbl, 4spd, power steering, no air)

The collector gasket: I'm not sure what size to order. I think my headers are Hedman. What's the likely size of the collector gasket? Is there any "donut" gasket there where the pipe connects to the collector?

I'm trying to get all the parts that I'll need ordered now. Thanks for any advice or comments!

 

[Frank Mopar]

Remflex gaskets

 

[cryplydog]

I like the soft copper gaskets. They don't blow out and you can reuse them.

 

[Andew Sury]

Likely they are 3 inch.

 

[snakeoil24]

Copper

 

[Rockett]

Remflex gaskets

I see Remflex sold at Summit. They look rather "thick" & I thought I saw some customer reviews that if your studs aren't long enough, you can't get a sufficient number of threads on the nuts to properly hold the headers on. Any experience with this issue?

 

[Rockett]

Likely they are 3 inch.

3" seems to be the most likely dia for the collector gasket?

 

[Rockett]

Summit also has Mr. Gasket "Ultra Seal", and they say, "a graphite-impregnated facing and a steel-expanded metal core that reinforces and increases their tensile strength". Any reason not to use these?

 

[Andew Sury]

3" seems to be the most likely dia for the collector gasket?

If they are Hedman, 95% of what they sold were 3 inch. Only 3.5" were Hooker Super Comps. A Body GM.

 

[WileERobby]

What brand header ? You may not have to remove the header.

 

[Rockett]

What brand header ? You may not have to remove the header.

Hedman headers, I believe.
Just looking at the clearance, ...looks pretty tight as far as pulling the OE steering box "up & out" without removing the header.
Have you done it without removing the header?

 

[Rockett]

Admittedly, I'm a bit of a newbie with all this, but I'm surprised that my header bolts look like *this*.
Isn't the header usually just held on with "standard looking" nuts on studs from the head??
What exactly am I looking at here?
Does this look unusual??
Any helpful comments, *please*?

 

[Andew Sury]

Google Stage 8 Fasteners. Someone got lazy and didn't put the retainers and e clips on.

 

[Fran Blacker]

I tried dead soft aluminum collector gaskets leaked bad. Switched to Remflex, can crush to 50% of original thickness. Remflex are fragile though, there's wire mesh inside to to help renforce them.

 

[Rockett]

I tried dead soft aluminum collector gaskets leaked bad. Switched to Remflex, can crush to 50% of original thickness. Remflex are fragile though, there's wire mesh inside to to help renforce them.

Looks like my header bolts barely have enough thread to grab? Would the Remflex gasket thickness present a problem?

 

[Rockett]

Google Stage 8 Fasteners. Someone got lazy and didn't put the retainers and e clips on.

Ahhh... Thanks very much!!
So I don't presently have any issues with the header bolts backing off. Are the Stage 8 Header Bolt kits a good idea (maybe I should order some)? Would using Loctite be an easier idea (cast iron heads)?

And I see that headers are held on with *bolts* into threads in the head (as opposed to *studs* in the head that nuts go onto)?
....so why did I read customer reviews on some header gaskets being too thick that the header *nuts* couldn't grab enough of the *stud* threads??)

 

[33 IMP]

Studs are great, IF you can get the header into place hanging on them, and IF you can find smaller-size nuts to use on them. Most headers require smaller size heads on the header bolts (7/16 heads on a 3/8 bolt, instead of the normal9/16).
I have no helpful info on header gaskets, i have always had success with mr.gasket, because i've got ancient hooker adjustables that bolt up in four seperate pieces per side, so the flanges for the cylinders are seperate. I made my own collector gaskets out of dead soft aluminum, cause i welded on homemade flanges .

 

[WileERobby]

Hedman headers, I believe.
Just looking at the clearance, ...looks pretty tight as far as pulling the OE steering box "up & out" without removing the header.
Have you done it without removing the header?

Yup

 

[Rockett]

Yup

Well, *that's* encouraging!!

Looks like I'd need to remove the battery tray & the power steering pump...
...and then that big OE Power Steering Box can be finagled forward, up & out??

(headers intact?)
'69 Road Runner 383

 

[WileERobby]

Well, *that's* encouraging!!

Looks like I'd need to remove the battery tray & the power steering pump...
...and then that big OE Power Steering Box can be finagled forward, up & out??

(headers intact?)
'69 Road Runner 383

Been doing this almost 50 years. I've had employees ask me for answers.Some were short, one -word answers, as I knew they had the brains and ambition to figure it out on their own. Others needed instructions on which way to push the toilet bowl lever. I suspect you're the former.