best header gasket?
 

I should get the lightnings today, and need gaskets. I've heard this ex Merc Master Mech's stuff is superb. Great reading on his site.

http://www.mooreperformance.org/index.html

I used Merc exhaust manifold gaskets on Lightning headers with great success. I also had several studs installed in the heads for the manifolds where possible.
I used double nuts on the studs and socket head cap screws everywhere else. The studs make installation easier in many cases because you don't have to struggle to hold the gasket in place. And, the double nuts really kept things nice and tight. You will need crows foot wrenches to get to most of the nuts on the studs.
I ran everything for a while until all warmed then re-tightened everything. After that I checked a few times, then just check for tightness maybe with oil changes.

Good luck.

I looked at the Merc gaskets and they did not seem to mate up well to the Lightnings. The gaskets that Lightning supplies worked well.

I use Fel Pro header gaskets. I have used them for several years now and no problems.

I also used FelPro gaskets with no problems.

I checked this moring with my local auto parts store. They canget the Graphite impregnated sandwiched gasket that Gil Gil sells for $24, for $13.

I used Fel-Pro #1411 on my previous boat with Lightnings, worked perfekt.

Fel Pro 1410 here.

What is the difference between #1410 and #1411?

MR GASKET - the grafite ones.
I have even reused mine a few times.
NO LEAKS

Comedics

YEs, good question. How do I know which I need?

Here is a description of the 1410,1411 and 1412 gaskets.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/gofast/headexgas1.html

BT :cool:

This should help. I installed the 1410's on my stock heads last year. I think all of the above mentioned will work fine
I found this on http://www.wisespeedshop.com/Fel-Pro.htm

#1410 Big Block Chevy-1.88'' x 1.88'', Square, Stock & Early Aluminum Heads - $18.21
#1411 Big Block Chevy-1.94'' Dia., Round, Most OE Aluminum Heads - $18.21
#1412 Big Block Chevy-2.13'' Dia., Round, Large Race - $18.21

Just make sure to use Square on Square and so on. I used 1411 (rounds) on stock iorn heads with my Sanderson and 1/2 of the leaked :( replaced a month later with 1410 and all was good :D Rag's

I've been using graphite Mr Gasket.
They have hangers on them so they are easy to install.
Never any leakage issues.

More info please, I love those Gils but the price--yuk. Where and what number and supplier ect??

JUST TRY THE MR GASKETS GRAFITE.
Believe me you won't want anything else.

Auto Zone has them and they're inexpensive.