[danimaldds]

I installed a crate 383 from blueprint. no issues except an exhaust leak on the center ports, both sides but the left is worse. The motor has vortec cast heads. Without changing the headers,( they were fine before), can I double the exhaust gasket? never tried it before.. thought I'd ask..Any help would be greatly appreciated.. Dan

[johnnymac]

I'm fairly certain that you can double up the gaskets... What kind of gaskets are you using? I had Mr. Gaskets on mine that lasted about 500 miles before they blew in the center ports. I have replaced them with the soft aluminum Percy's Seal-4-good gaskets. -It was a royal PITA, but so far so good no leaks. If you do switch to the aluminum ones, be carefull, they are like razor blades on the edges - I sliced the hell out of my thumb...twice.

[danimaldds]

The fiber/ cardbord ones that came with the eng. I'll try the alum ones or double. why were they so hard to do? Thanks

[.Bad75.]

Get yourself a pair of the percys soft aluminum exhaust gaskets, they work wonders and they are re-usable!

[rj68RS]

In the old days we used to take the fiber ones and soak them in water overnight before installing. This made them expand and when heated up and final torqued they never leaked. They were a PITA however to get back off. Nowadays I use the copper embossed ones usually from Summit unless I can't wait for an overnight deliver. So far I've never had a leak.

Fwiw, I never reuse any gaskets except valve covers. Gaskets are cheap compared to the time you will spend and your frustration WHEN they leak.

[ace's68]

Don't waste your money, go to the parts store and tell them you want exhaust MANIFOLD gaskets, each port has it's own thick aluminum/paper padded gasket that seals very well.

I had exhaust leaks with the crappy gaskets the header companies give you, the fel-pro ones are just as bad...

How is the quality on the blueprint engine? I have seen them advertised in competition products and maybe summit? Do they use name brand parts, they seem like a fair price but mainly dressed down for racing purposes.

[cpodeep]

That is the exact reason that I'm putting original exhaust manifolds on my 396 car! I'd rather spend my time driving than trying to fix header leaks! I remember doing that when I was younger...not a lot of fun.

[danimaldds]

The motor is fine. Not really a turn key. lots of changes. flywheel, alt bracket. had to realign the FP. They don't tell you those things. ....Lots of opinions here. I'm probably more confused. I wonder if it has to do with the ports. the blueprint uses a late model head and my headers were from the original block. Ace , you mean a stock gasket for a cast manifold?

[ace's68]

Yes, a stock cast iron exhaust manifold gasket.
I use them on my Long tube headers, a friend told me to use them, I had my doubts, they were cheap, I tried and was glad I listened and wasn't hard headed.