I started to noticed about 2 1/2 months ago that I was starting to get like a knocking noise under load and it just kept getting worse and worse, so to make a long story short I figured out it was the header gaskets screwed around for about three weeks to find gaskets and then finally got the time to do it. Well getting the time to do it was a mistake because it took me 4 Hours just to change the left side gasket!!! I still havent done the right side it looks even harder. Anyone had this experience?? The gasket I did on the left worked out beutifuly I let it get hot and tightened it again no leaks!!THANK GOD but I want to know whether the right side's worse and what can you do to prevent header gaskets from going I only had 50,000Km on the old ones??

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98 F-150 Regular Cab STX 4.6L, flareside, Tinted windows, Headers, K&N, Vortec Cherry Bomb Dual Exhaust, Hypertech Computer, 17X10 Eagle Alloys, 285/60R/17 Pirelli Scorpian Zero's, Alpine Cd deck, White Face Gauges

 

I don't know about the '98's but on my '96 it took the shop 2-3 hrs on the side where all of the emssions and a/c stuff is located (passenger side) and that is with a lift and experience.

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'96 F-150 302
Hedman Hedders, Catco Cat., Gibson Super Truck, K&N F.I.P.K.

 

HI!... I just changed the driver's side header gasket on my truck. It only took me about an hour to do. The gasket was still good but got "UNSEALED" when my dealer replaced my head gaskets. There was a slight exhaust leak. My EGR tube was also very loose and leaking. My JBA header gaskets have worked great. Never had a leak yet. The trick is to go through many heat cycles and re-tighten in between them. I bet I re-tightened my header bolts about 8-10 times before I finally put my inner fender wells back in. I just installed a FORD "HIGH PERFORMANCE" header gasket on the driver's side header. We'll see if it lasts as good as the JBA's. My local performance shop has a ton of 5.4 header gaskets in stock. $40.00(CAN) for a set.

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK" E-MAIL :nnewman@sympatico.ca
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP "FLIP-CHIP", BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS, FORD RACING 24LB injectors, RUSSELL stainless steel braided tranny lines with fittings.


FUTURE MODS : BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150 LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 340H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 16.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon JAZ fuel cell,etc

 

Ya your right same thing with me I took out the old gasket and it wasn't bad but started a small leak. I also have "Ford High Performance Gaskets" I have only done the drivers side so far but so far so good. And your absolutly right about the heat cycles, it leaked worse than before at first let it warm up, and then got another full turn out of the bolt. I did it 5-6 times before I was confident that it was sealed. My main question is have you done the passengers side yet?? Is it worse what do I need to do?? It looks like the starter might have to come off?? INPUT!!

Thanks Neal

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98 F-150 Regular Cab STX 4.6L, flareside, Tinted windows, Headers, K&N, Vortec Cherry Bomb Dual Exhaust, Hypertech Computer, 17X10 Eagle Alloys, 285/60R/17 Pirelli Scorpian Zero's, Alpine Cd deck, White Face Gauges

 

Hey thats ironic Neal I just realized where your from. Thats where my gaskets were ordered from, no one around this area could get there hands on gaskets, except for this place I found on the net in Windsor. Also the original owner of my truck was from Windsor maybe YOU?? No im joking but you never know right?? My truck is identical to yours with the 4.6

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98 F-150 Regular Cab STX 4.6L, flareside, Tinted windows, Headers, K&N, Vortec Cherry Bomb Dual Exhaust, Hypertech Computer, 17X10 Eagle Alloys, 285/60R/17 Pirelli Scorpian Zero's, Alpine Cd deck, White Face Gauges