BBC exhaust header gaskets

Lew Silverman · 08-22-2011, 10:29 PM

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

FED 387 · 08-22-2011, 10:33 PM

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

Bill Baer · 08-23-2011, 01:28 PM

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.

Lew Silverman · 08-23-2011, 08:48 PM

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

Run to Rund · 08-23-2011, 11:25 PM

x2 on copper gaskets!

RACER1530 · 10-26-2011, 07:58 PM

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

08-22-2011, 10:29 PM	#1
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,435 Likes: 371 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	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 __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

08-22-2011, 10:33 PM	#2
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,399 Likes: 482 Liked 320 Times in 172 Posts	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

08-23-2011, 01:28 PM	#3
Bill Baer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nothern IL Posts: 596 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	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. __________________ Bill Baer 3391 SC, 339B SC, QR

08-23-2011, 11:25 PM	#5
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 583 Likes: 8 Liked 54 Times in 27 Posts	Re: BBC exhaust header gaskets x2 on copper gaskets!

10-26-2011, 07:58 PM	#6
RACER1530 Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jersey Posts: 161 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: BBC exhaust header gaskets you might want to cut the flange so that the other tubes dont influince each other __________________ Fordyce Motorsports SC 1538 / SC 153R

08-23-2011, 08:48 PM	#4
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,435 Likes: 371 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	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 __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA