I guess everybody already knew this except me, but do NOT use the crap a$$ paper gaskets that are supplied with the JDM/Kooks long tube headers. Mine didn't last 3 months and YES they were properly torqued. I even went back and pulled the fender wells back out and torqued them again after a couple of days of driving.

I blew the passenger side out at Cecil last saturday.

here is the kicker, I pulled the header bolts out and layed the header back enough to sneak the gasket in and out, but this P.O.S. gasket has bonded to the header and won't come off. I'm having to scrape it off and with the header in place this is a MAJOR pain in the a$$.

JDM and Kooks and whoever else is selling these things should not even waste time including these gaskets. they are junk.

save yourself some headache and reuse your stock M.L.S. gaskets.

later,
chris

 

thanx for he heads up.

 

That sucks Chris

It was a pleasure meeting you at Cecil,
I love your Truck, it looks great, sits great, and the color is truly awesome. I'm glad you got some good runs in after you switched chips

BTW
I know changing the header gasket suck's, but I am glad it turned out to be that "and not something else"

I want to also thank you for the info on your
"secrete weapon"
" I ORDERED ONE "
I Love when a new Mod not only helps, but also looks good

 

So Rob, are you gonna tell us all what this "secret weapon" is?

Now that you've posted a pic that is clear enough to tease but blurry enough to be vague, you have to tell.

 

dammit Rob

you promised not to tell anybody about that.... yet...

 

How do you think I hit the 11's Rob, while you where stuck at 12.0

 

nearly an hour later and still scraping the G.D. gasket off.

I would have removed the header and cleaned it, but I don't have a replacement collector gasket, plus the passenger side is a real mother to remove and install.

 

So what's this "secret weapon" Don't try and change the subject.

 

Thats always been the down side to Headers,
blowing out the gaskets.
I would have thought by now, technology would have came up with something better than a piece of paper.

I use to use 2 gaskets on one side "sometimes" and found it would hold up better as long as you re-tighten the bolts ocassionally.

That plain old sucks Chris, I know it's a bitch of a job too.
The Captain was just telling me how hard it when he put his headers and Exhuast in, I guess you kind of assume it'll be the last time to have to deal with it ???

 

Superfords,

You're right, those gaskets do suck. But with headers, you have to keep rechecking them every now and then depending on how much you drive it. I check mine every month because I know how much of a pain it is to put new gaskets on. I've found that out the hard way with previous mustangs that I had full lengths on. These bolts just loosen up over time. You don't even have to pull the inner fender well out to check them.

 

MISTERgadget

I don't think it would be right for me to let the cat out of the bag.
BUT Mine's on order, when it comes I will

For Now I must respect Chris's wish "not to say anything"

I guess working for Ford has it's advantages Hu Chris ?

 

I'm interested in this secret...looks Bling to me

 

I'm staying tuned for this one Rob!

As for the gasket issue, does Kooks/JDM know about this? I'm sure they do...so do they recommend using the stockers? You'd think after charging that much money they'd at least inform you since they're obviously not including better quality gaskets..

 

HI!... As soon as I took my JDM/KOOKS LT headers out of the box I threw away the header gaskets and the collector gaskets. They are both JUNK! I used PERCY's dead soft aluminum collector gaskets and the ford motorsport header gaskets. These header gaskets are the best I have seen for out trucks yet. PART # M-9448-A462

 

If you tell I'll post more pictures from Brazil. I didn't give out everything you know.