BBC exhaust header gaskets
 

I've been experiencing a problem with my header gaskets blowing out on my '88 R20 Suburban with the 454/T-400. I'm using Hedman Super Huslers with thick flanges and the high temp coating. I'm towing a 21 foot steel deck trailer with about 4200 lbs of race car and equipment. I've attempted to cool the motor down with a thermostat change, and it normally runs about 180 -190 degrees under load. I've tried a number of gasket types, but after a few weeks or so, I'll get a section of gasket blown out!

Has anyone had a similar experience? Any recommendations on a type or brand of gasket you've had any luck with?

Thanks for your help!

Lew

Re: BBC exhaust header gaskets
 

pull the headers off and have the flanges resurfaced probably not flat so it eventually burns out the gasket--- got a "booger of weld" in there that is not allowing the flange to seal against the head--I know itsa a pain to fix but do it and ya probably will never have to fix it for a long time

Re: BBC exhaust header gaskets
 

Lew

FED's advice is sound you might want to consider trying a set of copper header gaskets while your at it too. Besure to retorque the bolts after a couple of heat cycles when the motor's cool.

Re: BBC exhaust header gaskets
 

Thank you so much for the advice. Upon further examination, it looks like a bolt has stripped out of the head on #4 cylinder, so the hedders will have to come off anyway! But at least I won't have to remove much to get to the head, there is still something to be said for working on 23 year-old vehicles!

Thanks again!

Lew

Re: BBC exhaust header gaskets
 

x2 on copper gaskets!

Re: BBC exhaust header gaskets
 

you might want to cut the flange so that the other tubes dont influince each other