replacing header gaskets on a 440 70

[charger01]

I need to replace the header gaskets on my 70 and expecting it to be a royal pita.  Any advice on what works best? mainly drivers side.

[Dino]

Use Percy aluminum gaskets and Permatex Ultra Copper on the bolts/studs that penetrate the water jackets and all will be well.  Snug the bolts lightly and let them sit overnight.  Then torque them down and do so again after taking it for a drive.

[charger01]

Any problems getting the gaskets on.  looks like there is no room to even get the header off the studs???

[Dino]

My headers were attached with bolts instead off studs.  They came away from the heads enough to clear any stud though.  Worst case scenario you have to remove studs but that shouldn't be too hard.  The hardest part was scraping the old paper gasket off the head.  To maximize space I removed the battery and tray, spark plugs, and valve cover.

[XH29N0G]

Do you have stock heads?  Or Al heads.  If stock heads then the studs will go into the water jacket and you will need to watch that.  

I have Al heads and bolts and needed to change to the gaskets Dino recommends and it has worked very well.  

If I recall correctly, I needed to take out the bolt that holds the Driver's side engine mount to raise the engine just a bit.  I also disconnected the exhaust at the collector to make it easier to manipulate the header, pulled the plugs so they would not break, and I think I set the bolts on the ends of the header loosely in place so the gaskets would slide in and hang there before putting in the other bolts.  I don't remember it being too difficult.  

PS.  Mine is a low deck (383) so what I say might not be exactly right because the space may be different.

[BSB67]

When this happens to me,..... oh wait, it doesn't happen to me, I forgot, I don't have headers......... Sorry, couldn't resist     Carry on.