Header gaskets that actually work?

I blew a header gasket on the Mav last weekend en route to a cruise in. Sounded like a log truck! I figured the paper style had lasted three years, so I had gotten my money out of them. Since it's such a job to replace the gaskets, I figured I'd go with the copper ones this time, they should last several years. I bought the Summit brand ones, USA made! I used the same ones on my 84 pickup a few years ago, and used a set of them on the 460 in the motor home with no problems, no leaks whatsoever. Problem solved, right? Wrong! First time, it leaked badly. Sounded as bad as the blown one I took off. Took it off, reversed it. Still leaking, not quite as bad. Banged the hell out of the tubes I could reach so I could get a socket on the bolts, and tightened the crap outta them. Dang thing still has a little tick to it. Not too bad with the hood down, but I can still hear it and it drives me nuts. So I guess I'll have to find another style of gasket, doesn't look like the copper ones are going to work on these Hookers. I seem to remember somebody mentioning some laminated ones that worked real good, but couldn't find anything in a search. So, anybody got a line on some good header gaskets that actually seal and will last a while? And not the paper ones. I don't want to have to do this job but one more time in the near future, and I'm gonna wait until cooler weather to do it.

 

remflex all the way...

 

Percy's work very well.
http://www.percyshp.com/

I have the XX Carbon ones.

 

Mr gasket makes a crushable metal one. The work very well

 

I'm using the crushable aluminum ones from autozone, 6-7 years and still doing fine.

 

I've always used manifold gaskets on stock exhaust port heads

 

Percy's "dead soft" aluminum ones. Well worth the admission price. Reuseable too.

 

another vote for remflex

 

What type of material are these made out of? I have never heard of them before and I am in the market for another set of header gaskets too.

 

I would also get rid of the bolts and switch to some good Allen head bolts.
I like the Mr. Gaskets. I put them on a 351W in my 84 Bronco with some Nickle Thorlys, and allen Head bolts,that was 14 years ago and the guy who has my old Bronco has no complaints. His daughters run the crap out of it at the Dunes down here pulluing a big travel trailer. The motor I built for it is still strong. Im thinking about buying that Bronco back from him.

 

I have had very good luck with Fel-pro's, but as stated earlier Remflex makes a bad ass gasket.....

 

graphite:
http://catalog.remflex.com/category_s/154.htm

 

I've been using Permatex Ultra Copper RTV on my headers for years. It's been working real good for me, I'll never go back to gaskets.

 

Thanks! I'll check into those.

 

I use manifold gaskets for a 92 ford Thunderbird with a 5.0. The ones on my cougar with MAC long tubes have been on for 5 years and most of the mileage was accumulated 1/4 mile at a time. every SBF I own and owned I've used the same gaskets. I have the same ones on my maverick with Headmen shorties and I drive that like I'm fleeing the seen.

Also before I put the gaskets on I usually use Ultra Copper RTV on the header side to hold the gaskets on for install.