Technical SBC exhaust manifold/header gaskets

I'm about to replace the cast iron head to stainless steel header gaskets on Clarence. The engine is a GM crate 350 from Summit Racing.

• Are all gaskets created equal?
• Is there a clear favorite brand/model that I should pursue?
• Should I just go down to the local NAPA or O'Reilly's and get whatever they have in stock?
• Other thoughts?

 

When I was in the parts business I sold a lot of Victor (NAPA) graphite SBC Ex manifold gaskets. Steel core with a thick layer of graphite on both sides. The graphite seals tight and doesn't burn out. I wouldn't use anything else. Victor is not the only company offering, I'm sure Fel-Pro and others make this type as well. Cost more than the stock type but much more durable and easier to install.

 

I use ultra copper without gaskets. I have aluminum heads and that's the only way they sealed.

 

Way back, I had to use the cheapie Mr Gasket pieces. They were known for blowing out.
I gave them a thin coat of silicone on each side, and allowed them to dry before install.
Never had a problem.

Same deal with their rocker cover gaskets. A thin layer of silicone on one side,
let that dry. Then glue the other side of the gasket to the rocker cover with silicone.
Wooden clothes pegs worked great to hold them until the silicone set up.

 

Remflex.https://catalog.remflex.com/

 

Atch, I haven’t had a set of headers since I was bracket racing in the late 90’s. Back then, I used the Fel-Pro racing header gaskets. I believe they were blue in color and they were the only ones that I had any success with.

 

Cast iron manifolds to cast iron heads don’t need gaskets. I haven’t used gaskets for years in this application. This is assuming the mounting surfaces are in good condition.

 

Manifolds don't use gaskets. Headers do....unless you're into silicone, which I'm not.

Which gaskets for headers, there are a lot of variables, and you didn't remind us of what exactly you have, so we can only guess.

 

Is there a favourite? Yes. As another commenter already mentioned, Remflex.

https://catalog.remflex.com/

 

long story short...
I just used Fel-Pro 1444 on one side, cheap and did the job.

Crate 350 from GM, stock heads with headers.

 

Thanks for the answers.

Cast iron heads on the GM crate 350.
SS headers but I don't know the brand.
Same as what RMcCulley has.

 

Fel Pro Gaskets are #1.

 

I've never had a bad experience with Fel Pro.

That said; apparently they make more than one set for SBC. Is one better than the other?

It appears that 1404 is the "one piece per side" type (in the $23 range) and 9275B is the kind that have three gaskets per side (in the $8 range) where #1, 2, 7, & 8 cylinders have a gasket unto themselves and 3/5 & 4/6 have a gasket. As inexpensive as gaskets are the price makes no difference.

I don't know if they make any others though.

 

The CORRECT part number for a FelPro SBC Stock Exhaust Port Header Gasket Set is #1444.
The port size measures 1.38" X 1.38"


1. #1404 is a gasket designed for headers ( Port size is 1.50" X 1.50" )
2. #9275B is designed for cast iron exhaust manifolds. (primarily with porous or warped surfaces are many years)

Glenn
( your friendly neighborhood old Fel Pro Performance Rep. of the HAMB for the past 25 years!)

 

I NEVER use header gaskets on headers. Just the reg old three piece stock manifold gaskets. Usually fel pro. Extremely rare that I had a leak and if I did it was extremely minor. As opposed to typical header gaskets that usually end up blowing the entire gasket

 

I just installed a set of Sanderson Headers and their instruction sheet states to "apply a 1/8" bead of Silicon to the raised portion of the header, and to let the Silicon dry, preferably over night". That is along the lines as Unkl Ian does, letting the Silicon dry. I always put the Silicon on wet and bolted the header on. Sanderson's way was a lot neater.