Header Gaskets. Fel-Pro or Silicone?

[1 Dwn Cam]

I am about to install my headers. AFR heads calls for a 1405 Fel-Pro and to torque my ARP bolts to 20 lbs with anti seize. ARP calls for 36 lbs on their bolts and says that a bead of clear silicone on the flange of the header works better than a gasket. I would like to know which of the two would be the better way to go, so that the bolts don't back out and cause a exhaust leak. I want to do this one time and one time only.

[MarkM66]

The gasket isn't responsible for you bolts not backing out.

They need to be re-torqued after a few heat cycles.

I like Percy's soft aluminum gaskets. But I'm sure otheres work fine too.

Some headers (cheap) are harder to seal then others.