Header Leaks

[shane72_383]

What are everyone's tricks for making headers stop leaking? i just replaced the header gaskets on my truck and they are already leaking again. Also what is a good set of headers that don't warp and dont leak? is there such a thing?

[jkaylor68gmc]

Try installing a set of the Mr. Gasket Copper units from Advance. Install the embossed ring side into the head and the flat side on the header. When you tighten the bolts work from the two center bolts outward. No matter what headers you have and how cheap, this will usually work.

[Jim_PA]

I prefer Fel-Pro header gaskets. I've never had a problem with them leaking.

[49studebaker]

My first question would be...what headers are you using? I've had headers that have leaked and after installing different brands of gaskets, (not what is mentioned above, this was 20 years ago), put them on double, they still leaked. Is it just one side? That's been my problem. My opinion is some headers either get warped or were not quality made in the first place. I put Hooker Comps on my 85 4x4, ten years ago, the headers look like crap but I've never had a leak. I look for the thicker flanges and quality brands. I am currently getting a small exhaust leak on the Hooked Block Huggers on the H.O. 350 in my Studebaker but it seems that it is due to getting the header bolts to stay tight against the ceramic flanges.

[bryanw1968]

Couple of things.....

Hooker and Heddman both make good thick flange hedders that don't leak.
I happen to prefer the Heddman Elites as not only do they have a 3/8" flange, they also have ball joint fittings on the collector that NEVER leak and don't require a gasket.

Another general gasket trick is to soak the gasket in water for a couple of hours and let them swell. Put em' on what and tighten from the center out(like mentioned above).

I've seen really expensive copper gaskets that are supposed to work well but I've never tried them.

Good luck!
B-dub

[Imacarguytoo]

All i buy are cheap black jack headers. When i install them i take a sander and sand off the paint on the flange that goes to the head. I also throw the header gaskets away, and go buy some exhaust manifold gaskets. Sometimes i have to snip the ends so i can just drop the gasket in after i install the bolts. Liek someone else said tighten the inside bolts to the outer bolts so it seals up good.
I never get header leaks this way. Also on headers that have been on a vehicle i just bought i change the old leaking gaskets and sometimes have to run 2 sets of manny gaskets to get a good seal. Hope this works for you. Also manny gaskets are like under 5 bucks. Cheaper than header gaskets.

[zeeklu]

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku These bolts can't come loose and work great. I've used them for years and never had a leak. Chris

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by bryanw1968

I happen to prefer the Heddman Elites as not only do they have a 3/8" flange, they also
have ball joint fittings on the collector that NEVER leak and don't require a gasket.

I have the "Elites" on "GQ"

[49studebaker]

LUV, how do the Elites fit, I assume 350 ci.?

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by 49studebaker

LUV, how do the Elites fit, I assume 350 ci.?

Pic's in my siggy link, they are 3/4 length, not full length, I had to
remove the spark plugs to instal them, that's it, I luv them alot

[centsless]

I bought a set of Flow-Tech headers from summit. I currently have them installed without any gasket at allat the engine. They do not leak a bit. They have also not come loose. I have put 450 miles on the truck so far, and they are fine!!!! I have always had trouble with header gaskets, and can't believe these work like this. Especially since I bought the cheapest set I could find.....

[whatnow123]

What I did was I just welded my directly to the head, saves money on gasket buyin and mine don't leak at all no more.

Just kidding. But i do have a question about "installed without any gasket at all" Is this okay to do? Doesn't seem like this is a good idea.

Mine leak from the middle drivers side, it's driving me nuts.

[Slammed70]

Ive always ran headers on any vehicle I owned(But I recommend manifolds on V8 S-10s) and they have always leaked. No matter what I did. But recently I have remidied this problem on my Camaro. 3/8 flange, the cheap parts store 1inch header bolts, 30 cents worth of lock washers, and the cheap ****ty paper header gaskets. Not a leak in over a year.

My truck on the other hand.....Hi-temp (red) RTV around the ports. And thats it, no leaks either.

[piecesparts]

A SLICK TRICK for your header bolts: Clean the bolts and wrap them with "Teflon Tape", just like you would a pipe fitting. The tape keeps the header bolts from backing out and helps to keep the threads clean for the next time you pull them on purpose. I read about it in one of the inventive ideas area of Sporttruck magazine and have been doing it to my bolts since 1996. Try it and you will be surprised at the fact they do not back out.

[sick69]

another trick with small block headers it to use felpro exhaust MANFOLD gaskets instead of header gaskets. been using this trick for years and always seems to work great unless the headers are just plain junk. haven't had an exhaust leak at the head since ive started usng them


I haven't tried it on a big block yet so i dunno if it will work with them or not

[Longhorn Man]

which end of the header is leaking? The top, or tha collectors?

[bowtiehotrodder]

the best header gasket is the soft aluminum ones and they dont leak. they are 30.00 to 40.00 dollars

[ZOOMY]

Cut the connecting metal out between the flanges. Bolt them in TIGHT with grade 5 and then stake the heads of the bolts.

[HuggerCST]

I've also had good luck with red high temp silicone with no gasket. (at the head)

[shane72_383]

Thanks for all the replies, im gonna try some of these i'll let ya know how they work.

[72armyswbtruck]

I use the metal header gaskets, they seem to work well
JM2C

[Slammed70]

Originally Posted by bowtiehotrodder

the best header gasket is the soft aluminum ones and they dont leak. they are 30.00 to 40.00 dollars

Are you talking about those "dead soft" type? Those are junk....I blew three or four sets of those out in my Camaro.

[68C15]

I put a set of copper gaskets behind my used heddmans with standard 12 point headed bolts 3 years ago and havent touched them since. about $30 all together, done!!!!

[Jim_PA]

Here's my second vote for FEL PRO -- 14 or 15 bucks, no leaks, no blowouts, and they don't cost 40.00

[Mudder]

Been down the road and have it firgured out. $5 for manifold gaskets and cut the flanges on boht sides of the center tubes. Like Zoomy said. Takes the warpage out of the flange which makes the bolts come loose. No need to buy expensive bolts and or gaskets. Mine are cut.