I need to change the sharty pacesetter gaskets out with some good ones, and my problem/question is...How can I change the gaskets without having to take the headers completely off?

Can i just removed the bolts and kinda jimmy the old gaskets off and slip some new ones in or is it more complicated than that?

PS. I need a Sig

 

Lt1 or LS1?

you could probably get away with just removing all but the front and back bolt and dropping in a new gasket. however you will probably be better off removing all the bolts and pulling the header back to ensure you get all the paper gasket off of the head and the header itself as if you drop a new one in and theres left over paper from the old gasket it will blow out the new gasket.

Just pull all the bolts reinstallation of the header is not hard at all, the hardest part of a header install is actually sliding it up to where it is now worst case senario you might need a second set of hands to help you do it.

 

Depends on what side of the car it is. If it's the passenger side rest assured that it will be a pain.

I think you could slide them on like that however, you run the risk of not being able to line up the gasket.

~Jim~

 

Buy a set of gaskets such as felpro that have a slotted bolt on each side of them, which you could take all your bolts out but the front and far back bolt and slide the old gasket out, but i tried that and didnt get all the old paper gasket out.

when you reinstall the header you can start a bolt in the very front and very far back bolt then slide the gasket in and then do the rest.

Worse case senario you might have to pull the passanger valve cover to slide in the gasket, you cant mess up the alignment of the gasket if you get all the bolts threw the gasket itself.
unless you rip apart the gasket while putting it in.

 

Thanks for the replies! I think what I'll do is get some nice copper gaskets and see if I can slip them in somehow or just take off all the bolts and pull the headers back so I can get to the paper gasket and put some new ones in, exhaust leaks are so annoying. Peace

 

Inspect the old gaskets for signs of the gasket breaking off and sticking to the head or headers. If the surfaces are clean, your new gaskets won't seal properly.

 

Won't seal properly? Don't you mean if you do get the surfaces clean, they will seal better? I think thats what you meant, anyways, I might just have my local garage put some nice gaskets in since they are doing my clutch too. Peace.

 

I meant to state if the surfaces are not clean the gaskets won't seal correctly.