While a P/O owned her someone snapped off the back "nub" where my headers attach (bolt on) to the head. It has a jury rigged bolt there which does hold the headers in place. The problem is because I am missing the metal around the "nub" the gasket keeps blowing out. There is not enough metal around the exhaust port to seal the gasket properly.

Can I use Muffler Repair Tape to make a temp fix. I thought I would pack it around the bolt and wrap wire around it. I hope this would help the gasket until I can get a new head. My big question is will muffler repair tape stand up to the heat of the head and headers. I don't want my engine on fire as I drive down the road one night if the tape can't handle the heat.

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(I am deleting a really dumb question I posted in response to Scott's answer)

 

I have the same problem, though I have a lateer model manifold instead of headers, I cleaned mine with a die grinder, built a form around it and used JB weld, allowed it to cure well and drilled and tapped it , I haven't got any road miles on it yet but so far its held through a couple of heating and cooling cycles in the garage. I also used the spray on copper gasket sealer on a new gasket and was VERY careful about torqueing the bolts, when the body work is done I'll give it a road test (with fingers crossed). Planning on going to a late model head later when the budget allows.[:-]

 

I assume the only way to repair it is to pull it off the car. I figure if I go to that trouble I will just put a new head on.
There is one bolt on the header that is almost impossible to get to, so I decided to spend a few bucks and let someone else replace the gasket this time. He said he put a coating on the gasket to help it last a little longer.Probaly the same stuff as it does have a copper color to it. I am resigned to replacing the head, I just want this gasket to hold out until I can find one.

 

I did this without removing the head, a little tricky but my opinion was the same as yours, if you're gonna pull the head might as well do it right,even with a cast manifold its impossible to torque the bolts without dropping the starter which is not a big deal on these old sixes,thats one of the things I love about these old cars, they were built when the idea of KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID was popular, not BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND MAKE EM PAY 100 BUCKS AN HOUR FOR AN OIL CHANGE.

 

I give it a try with the head on, Thanks