i need help with bbc headers gaskets ????

I've used Garlock 1/16 thick graphite steam gasket material. The wire woven stuff, it has fine wire in the center of the material. this stuff is hard to cut!, hollow punches and sharp small tin snips help. It's on my header collectors and does a great job. I think the stuff is still available from pipe and fittings suppliers.

 

Fat chance you are going to succeed.

Try this: http://www.mcmaster.com/#aluminum-alloy-1100-sheets/=84weu0

Then trace your gaskets out on this sheet and cut out your own. You can use wood working tools, like a scroll saw with this material. About the only way you are going to get what you are wanting.

 

you want the old stock style manifold gaskets..they work great.

 

that looks like what the turbo gasket ive used are made out of ...

 

anyone that can surface heads can cut the flange flat. I used to do it at our shop...but that machine is long gone, looked like a 2 foot wide 4 foot long belt sander

 

I use GM manifold gaskets on my sbc in my Caprice. No problems after 60k. Have your local GM parts dept check for manifold gaskets for a mid 90's big block truck. If they won't; call me at work (810)785-4076. Pete

 

Been doing this 45+ years. Learned a long time a go, that there are no short cuts. When you figure all the time you have already invested in this 56 Chevy, you might as well plan to take the time to pull the headers off and straighten them out, install the new gaskets and put it all behind you(what's it going to take, 4 hours?) . It will be done,done right, and you'll be on the road. Just bite the bullit and do it. You'll be glad you did.

 

im shure i will just b.s in "

 

Is your header flange one piece or individual pipe flanges?

 

After years of his kind of problem your NOT going to seal our headers until you find a way to surface them. Someone said they used a large belt sander, and that's how I do it. You might find a cabinat shop with a large belt sander. Offer to buy a belt and use it for your headers. Once they are flat use some high temp gasket sealer on both sides of the gasket and draw the bolts up even a real tight. Fire the engine, warm it up, shut it off and retorque the header bolts. Do this a couple of times and you should be good to go.

Frank

 

there individual flanges thats why there is only 2 leaking on one side and one leaking on the other side

 

I'm guessing the ears on the flanges have been pulled down tight enough to warp. Only way I know to fix them is to pull them off and straighten the individual flanges with a hammer (or you might try to bend them back with a crescent wrench). It's kinda hard to flatten the individual flanges on a mill or sander. Then when you put them back on leave the gorilla wrenches in the tool box. Snug them down, but not enough to warp the flanges again. Keep checking them every day for a couple of weeks, they will eventually stay tight.
Larry T

 

i used red rtv silicone on my sanderson headers, no gaskets, 3 years they never leaked, thats what sanderson recommends..... good luck

 

Victor/Reinz makes graphite header gaskets. I rtv each side and cure before install. Thicker is not better when it comes to header gaskets. peace

 

I found some header biscuits that you trim to fit at Earls Braided Lines in Lawndale, Ca. It cured my leaking problems for good.

 

Also make sure your header bolts aren't bottoming out as in too long.

 

Wow... talk about being resistent to doing something that will net you the best result. Spend the extra time and straighten the mating surface. I had to do something similar on an OT 360 AMC. Yes, it was an absolute PIA but it fixed my leak(s).

These guys have given really good answers... being lazy is not a good excuse.