i have a leak in the passenger side header gasket and am going to have to remove the housing around a/c to get to the last bolt is this a major project i tried to change it without doing this but can not get to that last bolt from top or underneath also will this leak burn a valve if driven someone told me it could or would if i drive it any help on this will be appreciated

Don't worry about burning a valve with a small gasket leak. It isn't going to happen. That is just one of the old stories people like to tell when they don't know anything about engines.
Usually, you don't have to remove the header completely to change the gasket. Remove all but one end bolt and swing the old gasket out of the way. Then hook the new one at the freed end with one end bolt before you remove the old opposite bolt. I've just changed them without moving the header. Some gaskets even have open slotted holes for the end bolts so you can start the end bolts and then drop them into place with the header in place.

when you replace them use exhaust manifold gaskets.. you will never have a leak again...

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by 1981coupe400ci:
when you replace them use exhaust manifold gaskets.. you will never have a leak again...</font>

?????please give more details 1981.

Brian, I've taken some cheap Chinese wrenches and cut, ground, and bent them into some pretty weird gadgets to get at that last bolt. It's time consuming and frustrating but I didn't have to remove the a/c box. You know the rest about quality fasteners and gaskets, they are well worth the few extra bucks.

------------------
79 Z28 Bought new, honeymoon ride, same wife, same car.

67lemanster... Just buy a set of stock exhaust manifold gaskets for a stock engine.

The have a metal face on one side and like a cardboard face on the other side. They don't burn like paper header gaskets do.

I been running manifolf gaskets on my heards, and the only time I had an exhaust leak is when one of the bolts, backed out on me. Just re tightened the bolt and I was good to go.

Most header gaskets has the end two bolt holes slotted. You just losen up the end bolts., take out the other 4 center bolts, now you should be able to just slid the gasket up and out of place

The exhaust manifold gaskets come as 3 pc. for each side. All the pc. has slots, so you just slide them in place

thanks guys i will try the exhaust manifold gasket again thanks a lot

I been using the copper gaskets....Kinda pricey but works really good.

------------------
If all else fails...Tap lightly with a 5lb hammer!