The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Block huggers and valve cover gaskets?

Hey guys! Anybody have any trouble with their valve cover gaskets leaking because your using block huggers? I was told that because the huggers are so close to the valve cover gaskets, the heat is so intense that the gaskets actualy cook and begin to leak. Is this true or was I just getting a bunch of olds timers BS? Is there supposed to be an aluminium shield between the headers and the gaskets?

I have not personally seen that but have seen plug wires get cooked on SBC. Heat shields are a good idea for that so if you are having a problem with V-C gaskets why not fashion some sheet metal deflectors? I don't recall having ever seen them for sale. My problem area is heat soaking the starter so it's getting an insulation wrap.

Paintman, how are block hugger or any other headers closer to the valve cover gaskets than stock manifolds? I'm having trouble understanding the problem.

As for cooked plug wires, simple cable clamps from Home Depot, also called "P-clamps" and "Adels" can be used to hold the plug wires away from the headers. There are fancy, expensive billet cable routing devices to do that but the inexpensive hardware items accomplish the same thing with a cool, aircraft look. If you give me your email address, I'll send you a photo of what they look like.

There are also short versions of spark plugs from the major plug manufacturers to create more clearance between the plug boots and the headers. For example, my street rod is a '32 Ford roadster with a SBC Chevy engine equipped with Edelbrock heads and block hugger headers. After a lot of experimentation with different heat ranges I settled on short spark plugs that are the same part number as used in my wife's 2005 Honda Accord. There is no need to buy expensive "Header plugs" because a profusion of identical length plugs already exists for stock applications.

I have block huggers on my 327 Chevy SB. No issues with valve cover gaskets, although I did end up melting spark plug boots on front & rear plugs both sides. I ended up using asbestos " socks " on those ( 4 ) plugs which solved the issue.

Been running Block Huggers on hot 350 in the 37 for years. No problems. In fact, I've not had to tighten the header bolts or the valve covers after the intial recheck.

I have block huggers on my 406 and 6.0 never had any problems you are having .The only change I did a few years ago was by headers that are JET HOT COATED I should of done that in the first place .The coating made a drastic under hood lower temperature very clean install with out all the added clutter of looms , clamps or shields.

OOOK, I'm a dummy so tell me, and others what/how about Jet Hot Coated. I've never heard of it but I have never lived in Tx!!