Do I need to prep or clean the mounting surface before install?

Yes. Scrape old gasket material and carbon buildup from both the header flange and cylinder head. A clean, flat surface is critical for a proper seal and prevents repeat leaks.

Will this gasket work if my headers are ceramic coated?

Ceramic coating on headers won't affect gasket performance as long as the mating surface is clean and flat. The gasket seals to the cylinder head side — coating on the header tubes is not an issue.

What tools or hardware do I need to install this?

You'll need basic hand tools to remove and reinstall header bolts. The gasket itself requires no additional fasteners — it seats between the header flange and cylinder head using factory bolt holes.