Head Gasket Replacement Question . . .

[97LT1Z28]

I'm just starting on my head gaskets . . . .

1) I have stock manifolds. Do I have to drop the exhaust pipes below the manifolds? Or, can I undo the exhaust manifold bolts at the head and slide the manifolds aside to remove the heads?

2) I'm getting the new bolts and a head gasket set - Can I get copper gaskets or something better so it will last longer? What brands do you recommend?

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I've always used Fel Pro gaskets. Have you thought about getting any head work done? If mine were bad I would have the heads ported. You can send them to my neighbor to do.

[97LT1Z28]

I'm going to have the heads worked while I got them off . . . .

Do I have to drop the exhaust pipes below the manifolds? Or, can I undo the exhaust manifold bolts at the head and slide the manifolds aside to remove the heads?

[fastTa]

I'm going to have the heads worked while I got them off . . . .

Do I have to drop the exhaust pipes below the manifolds? Or, can I undo the exhaust manifold bolts at the head and slide the manifolds aside to remove the heads?

Hey Darrin, I just noticed you live in SA. What part of town? If you need any help man, feel free to give me a call. I'll PM you my cell number. We have a shop here in New Braunfels. Who did you plan on having do your heads?

[97LT1Z28]

I actually live in Converse off Hwy 78 & 1604.

I was planning to lug the heads to Moreno & Sons on the south side and have them inspect them for warping, cracks, etc. Then shave the heads, check the valves and clean them up a bit. Can your shop do them? Can you send me a message with the pricing and your location?

FastTA - thanks for offering your help on this one - you're awesome!

Oh . . . .and do I have to drop the exhaust below the manifolds or can I just undo the exhaust manifolds from the heads and scoot them aside??

[fastTa]

We have a fairly basic shop. We don't do headwork (leave that to the pros), but I am going to start making mild steel and moly cages for Hotrods and racecars. Mike Clark that owns So Tex Race Cars, over in Bracken, is about to do a 25.2 cage in a 2000 SS, and he is going to show me the ropes. A 25.2 cage is a work of art. I'll take you by there one day and show you his work. It is second to . He has mostly done foxbody cages in the past, but he wants to start doing f-bodies.

BTW, did you know that alot of f-bodies have been meeting over at Biff Buzbees over off Toepperwein Rd. and 35.

All of our local headwork and custom shortblock work, we usually have San Marcos machine shop do it. Lethal Motorsports is pretty good as well. We sometimes send stuff to Combination Motorsports for the LT1/LS1 stuff.

[TraceZ]

Oh . . . .and do I have to drop the exhaust below the manifolds or can I just undo the exhaust manifolds from the heads and scoot them aside??

If it were me, I'd drop the y-pipe first.

You could try removing the heads with the y-pipe in place, but I question how much wiggle room you will have to play with.