Do I need to prep or clean the mating surfaces before installation?

Yes. Scrape off the old gasket material completely from both the header flange and cylinder head. Use a gasket scraper or old credit card — avoid wire wheels that can score the surface. Wipe clean with a dry rag before setting the new gasket.

What hardware do I need to bolt this down?

The fasteners (bolts or studs) are not included with the gasket set. You'll use the existing header bolts from your current setup. If yours are stripped or corroded, source header bolts that match your original size and thread pitch.

How do I know if the gasket is seated correctly?

Start all bolts by hand first to center the gasket, then tighten in a crisscross pattern — don't tighten one side completely before moving to the other. Refer to your service manual for final torque spec. A properly seated gasket will sit flush with no gaps or wrinkles around the bolt holes.