leaking headers

My headers are leaking again.   I need better gaskets.    Summit has some but I don't know what kind of ports are in my heads.     My heads are stock.   I want to try a one piece.    Any of you done this before?   HELP

I recall a thread a few months back where someone had good results by first soaking the header gaskets in water before installing them.

Search around C3 Emmissions. You should find it there.

HTH

Try putting at straight edge on the header flange to make sure your headers are flat and square. I run standard Felpro gaskets on a healthy engine and have no problems. Do you have "O-Ringed" headers?

You may have done this already but recheck the header bolts, they always seem to come loose I periodically need to re tighten mine. their is sets that can be safty wired to keep them from coming loose

you want the gaskets to match the headers, rraider is right about retightening the bolts, bring the motor to operating temp and let it cool stone cold and retighten, I had to do mine four times, also use locking header bolts, they have two types, the Stage Eight type and the split bolt type, the split bolt type has a allen set screw in the hex head of of the split bolt, after the final heat cycle tightening run the set screw in and it spreads the treads and locks the treads in the heads, use a drop of antiseize on the treads and set screw, the split lock type are the easiest to use. anips2010-06-09 09:33:53

I just installed my headers and I followed the post that said to soak the gaskets just before installing them. They seemed to draw tighter and when i went back to retighten them after they cooled down they were still tight. Good Luck.

Like Luke I run Felpro gaskets. Header bolts are your run of the mill standard type with antiseize compound used.

Unfortunitly my weakest point is the collector gaskets. I replace them every season, on the plus side they are cheap and easy to change.

Small price to pay for a nice rumble.......