Header & Collector Gaskets for Your Exhaust

Copper gaskets and aluminum gaskets provide better sealing than their thinner high-temperature fiber counterparts. The thick header gaskets, when compressed, allow for variations on cylinder head and exhaust header sealing surfaces. This results in increased sealing in areas where there are larger gaps. Copper and aluminum gaskets are also more resistant to blowing out due to the material strength and thickness.

The best header collector gaskets are provided with materials such as copper and aluminum yielding longer life than factory gaskets as they are stronger and resistant to breaking down in comparison to high-temp paper or graphite.

When installing header gaskets, first clean the header and cylinder head gasket surfaces. Surface prep is crucial in successful gasket sealing. Next, with a straight edge, check how straight the header and cylinder head sealing surfaces are. If the headers are warped or the cylinder head gasket surface is not even, it will be more difficult to seal. If either is found to not be straight, either replace or repair/resurface them. Next, mock the gasket in place between the header and cylinder head and finger tighten the bolts. Finally, torque each bolt to the correct spec for your specific engine. After a few engine heat cycles, check the torque again and lengthen the time between checks. The gaskets will change in shape, so re-torquing is necessary to ensure a proper seal. The header collector gasket install follows the same process. To prevent a header collector gasket leak, the surfaces need to be clean and straight with even tightening around the gasket.

TThis is a difficult question to answer as there are proponents on both sides. Either copper or aluminum gaskets will work fine if installed correctly and with an even amount of torque. Copper is usually more expensive and heavier than aluminum. Aluminum header gaskets are softer than copper and deform easier. Typically, research metal header gaskets that fit your budget, application, and requirements. If it doesn't work, you can switch to the other material down the road.

When selecting the correct header gasket, first narrow your selection down by your engine type and size. Next, measure your cylinder head exhaust port diameter (round or oval) or width and height (square or rectangle). Check the measurements for the headers as well to ensure the gaskets seal on both sides correctly. Ideally, the gasket size will match both the cylinder head and header it is sealing. Otherwise, the closest size to it will have to do. It is not recommended to put a smaller gasket with larger ports as it will restrict exhaust flow. It is easy to learn how to measure header collector gaskets. This is done by measuring the inside diameter of the gasket sealing surface on the collector. Typically, a header collector gasket 3 in, 2.5", 3.5" or other sizes.

A JEGS expert is ready to answer your questions and help you find the header gaskets and header collector gasket that you require for your street or race car, truck, or custom application.