So I got a set of Pacesetter shorties for free and I sent them off and got them JEt-Hot coated in Sterling. I decided to tear off the stock manifolds last night and to my suprise there are no gaskets. Is this normal? Notice I didn't mention anything about broken bolts? Not one bolt snapped, they all came out easily. Getting the rear bolts loose was a pain. A few busted knuckles, nothing major. Any way, I plan on using Stage 8 stainless bolts, but what would be a good choice for a header gasket??

 

I did'nt have any gasket either, nothing to scrape off or anything, I thought I read they don't use any on the stockers As far as gaskets I just reused my stock manifold and got the Fel Pro stockers, pretty good so far and thick.

 

Mine didn't have any either. I went with Fel-Pro and Stage 8 bolts. No more leaks!!

 

Ya, thats normal. The factory cast iron manifold don't need gaskets.

When you install your headers, get a set of Remflex gaskets. Best header gasket that exists anywhere. That's all I will ever use.

 

Percy's Seal For Good gaskets are great too. I prefer their split lock design header bolts as well over the Stage 8 bolts.

 

Who carry's RemFlex gaskets? Also I can't see spending $70 for Stage 8 bolts when I get ARPs for $23. The truck is DD, not an offroad or high horsepower beast. Anyone with me on not using Stage 8, or am I just a cheap @$$? LOL.

 

If/when using stainless bolts, lightly coat the threads with Anti-Seize.

 

Get the stage 8. The bolts will eventually loosen themselves, breaking the gasket seal. Then you'll have to redo everything with a new gasket. And another and another until something is put in place to stop the bolts from backing out. Is the 70 bucks saved worth the extra gaskets AND the extra time? People sometimes forget that time has a value too.

 

Carquest carries RemFlex gaskets..

 

I ordered my Remflex here:
http://www.remflex.com/

Then I selected "Dealers" at the top, and picked one that I wanted to order from.