After double-checking the instructions for my headman headers they recommend spray copper gasket sealant.
Of course, I put them on dry, Am I asking for trouble, and should I just suck it up and redo them now.

Thoughts?

 

I used the fiber gaskets that came with my Hookers. If you want to do the sealant as suggested by Hedman, I would do it before you have any heat cycles affecting the bolts.

 

What gaskets are you running? Composite gaskets will have crushed at this point, so you might as well run them as is. Personally, MLS (multi layer steel) gaskets are the only ones I use copper spray on and then I really only use it on MLS head gaskets. If they leak, they are not all that difficult to change even after the car is back together.

 

One word:

Remflex.

 

FWIW
"This is a custom designed exhaust header system, designed for this particular application (s). Do not bend, bang, cut, dent, drill or heat any portion of this header! Any alteration other than those suggested in this instruction sheet will void the Hedman Lifetime Guarantee! To prevent leaks, install your headers using Hedman Hedders exhaust gaskets ONLY and a spray copper gasket sealant" ONLY

 

I always put them on dry never any issues if the headers and head mounting surfaces are flat.

 

Loaded, These are what came with my Hooker headers.

 

Here's the gasket that came with headers
Headman Gasket

 

I don't think I would pull them off unless you are planning on buying another set of gaskets to spray and put back on. I think you have as much of a chance of used gaskets sprayed with copper sealant leaking as you do of new gaskets put in dry (probably more of a chance of the used gaskets put back in leaking).

 

I'm a bg fan of Percy's Seal-4-Good multi- layer aluminum.

 

I usually use red high temp RTV. I have never had any problem with leaking or removing the headers or bolts.

 

I use a thin bead of exhaust RTV around the gasket. Zero leaks.

 

When using any “fabric” gaskets (incl composite Mr Gskt Ultra Seal) I always used to smear them with copper anti seize, that way they come off without potentially being fused to flanges and requiring scraping. If there were any sealing issues I would double them up.

A few years back I tried the Remflex after Joe P’s recommendation, nice gaskets and currently on both cars.

​​​​​​….

 

I have been very happy with Summit 111440 copper gaskets.