Headers are not somethin to cheap out on.....the cheaper you get em the thinner the flanges and the more leaks you'll get.

 

Well I bought the $140 Flowtech ones from Summit (LT's) and haven't had any leak problems. Once I get pics up you'll see they tend to get banged around alot too and in two years I've had to tighten up my header bolts once and no leaks. I'd say $140 is fairly cheap. From all I've heard Ford blocks seal headers real good so you can get away with cheaper ones and cheaper gaskets. My bros 350 Chevy had $300 headers and gaskets that were like twice mine and his stayed sealed for like a week.

Mike

 

I have had nothing but sealing problems with my headers sealing...till I put studs in...

 

you will have sealing issues if you use header gaskets...

either use the STOCK manifold gasket or the Copper gaskets...

I will NOT use header gaskets...I use the stock manifold gaskets...bolts dont come loose either

 

Yea, I used to buy header gaskets myself then decided to put factory original PN gaskets on with studs into the heads.....haven't had a problem since.

 

Guess I've been lucky then. And yes bolts do have a tendency to loosen whether from your exhaust getting mashed on the ground, when i post pics you'll see it hangs down, or I just didn't torque them right but after about six months I got a nasty tick and the back two bolts on the passenger side were loose enough I could take 'em out with my fingers. Tightened 'em up and haven't had a problem since. They hang down cause I got mine for christmas and I was excited me and my bro had them on the next day and then had no exhaust so he made what I've got. You can get a full dual exhaust system that exits behind the rear wheels that is made to come off of these headers so that is my next project.

Mike

 

thanks guys im looking at either the summit ones or the flowtech ones.

 

Going to have to do headers once I get back from vacation. Found out today that my drivers side manifold is cracked. Going to give Summit's a try. I bet they are reboxed flowtechs or something. Most of Summits stuff is just a rebox of some name brand they carry.

Anyone have experiance with the Stage 8 or Percey's Split Lock bolts?

 

is it a simple unbolt all the stock manifolds and what not and put the headers on or like how bad is it?