header leak - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

84Stepper · 03-16-2003, 12:32 AM

Huy guys I think I have a header leak.

Its all chared black around the gasket on one of the headers and its making a pretty loud ticking noise. And when I give it some gas it pops some times.Does it tick when they are leaking?I knew I should have spent more money and got the copper gaskets instead of the cheap ones. What kind of gaskets should I buy? Thanks jon

twistedmetal · 03-16-2003, 01:08 AM

Try these they work great for me.Mr.Gasket Ultra Sealhttp://store.summitracing.com/defaul...%3D8%26s%3D128

Quote:

If Fall Guy only knew how many trucks i wrecked,He'd be proud

*1FaastC10* · 03-16-2003, 01:55 AM

good quality gaskets are a must, although i see no need for copper gaskets. i always ran Fel Pro header gaskets, and Mr Gasket header bolts, and only had minor problems a few times. a little extra maintnance is a small price to pay for teh performance gains.

79BIG10 · 03-16-2003, 05:21 AM

I have the Stage 8 Locking bolts. They saved me headaches for sure. The rear passenger side bolt would work loose everytime. Then I bought the locking bolts and have had no leaks whatsoever. I even run good paper gaskets and no leaks whatsoever.

**swervin ervin** · 03-16-2003, 03:27 PM

I know it doesn't help with what gaskets, but the single biggest cause of header leaks is sorry quality header flanges.

I'm sure you have all heard the old saying, "you can't make chicken pie out of chicken sh!t". Right?

I have never, repeat never, had a header leak with my Edelbrock TES headers. And this is using just plain ole, nothing special Felpro gaskets. And before I forget, no fancy Stage 8 bolts either. I've never had a header bolt back out or get loose. Maybe I've been lucky, I don't know.

87 STEPPER · 03-16-2003, 03:40 PM

Iv'e got the same headers as mike does and im using some unknown brand gaskets for the stock iron manifolds and i also have never had a leak or bolt come lose on me either but im using ARP ss blots and iv'e got solid motor mounts so maybe thats the reason why

**swervin ervin** · 03-16-2003, 04:20 PM

I'm using ARP ss bolts too. I use ARP bolts or studs everywhere I can. Motor mounts have very little to do with header leaks. I say yes, if you had such a big cam it shook like an old ladys vibrator, then yes, maybe it would maybe back a bolt out. I can't understand how. If you have lock washers on the bolts, how do they back out.

84Stepper · 03-16-2003, 06:33 PM

where can I buy these locking bolts and how much are they? Ive heard off them I but I cant remember who makes them. The only place I think it is leaking from is the front driver side bolt that goes through the power steering bracket becuase it is all chared black around the gasket.

LOHRTBT · 03-16-2003, 07:51 PM

REgular bolts...regular paper gaskets. Even missing one bolt and no leaks.
THICK JBA flanges!

Just like mike said...the flange is where its at

CHaingKaiShek · 03-17-2003, 05:41 AM

Well guys, I have my cheapie flow-tech headers. And even using the Cheapie paper gaskets that came with them, even used the stock mounting hardware. No leaks at all.

I did however do something that normal installation does not call for.

On each of the header bolts, I ran a bit of teflon tape around them, now it made each bolt a bit harder to thead in, sure - but three months down the road and none of them have backed out at all.

The only problem I've had is with my collector gaskets.

The cheapie flow-tech gaskets blew out, because the collector to flange mounting hardware was rather stupid. Picked up some new mr.gasket ultra-seal collector gaskets and have not had a problem since (also replaced the collector bolts with new grade 8 nuts, bolts, washers)

I'm happy with my cheapie headers, except for the spark plug issue I have.

Jeff

03-16-2003, 12:32 AM	#1
84Stepper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 425	header leak Huy guys I think I have a header leak. Its all chared black around the gasket on one of the headers and its making a pretty loud ticking noise. And when I give it some gas it pops some times.Does it tick when they are leaking?I knew I should have spent more money and got the copper gaskets instead of the cheap ones. What kind of gaskets should I buy? Thanks jon __________________ 84 Chevy Stepside, 350, TH350, 268h Comp cam, Hooker headers, MSD Pro Billet, Edelbrock Performer manifold and 1604 carb, 40 Series Flowmasters dumped, and Western Chassis 3/5 drop w/ c notch. New 3:73 Eaton Posi

03-16-2003, 05:21 AM	#4
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	I have the Stage 8 Locking bolts. They saved me headaches for sure. The rear passenger side bolt would work loose everytime. Then I bought the locking bolts and have had no leaks whatsoever. I even run good paper gaskets and no leaks whatsoever. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

03-16-2003, 03:27 PM	#5
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	I know it doesn't help with what gaskets, but the single biggest cause of header leaks is sorry quality header flanges. I'm sure you have all heard the old saying, "you can't make chicken pie out of chicken sh!t". Right? I have never, repeat never, had a header leak with my Edelbrock TES headers. And this is using just plain ole, nothing special Felpro gaskets. And before I forget, no fancy Stage 8 bolts either. I've never had a header bolt back out or get loose. Maybe I've been lucky, I don't know. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

03-16-2003, 03:40 PM	#6
87 STEPPER STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Fla. Posts: 2,764	Iv'e got the same headers as mike does and im using some unknown brand gaskets for the stock iron manifolds and i also have never had a leak or bolt come lose on me either but im using ARP ss blots and iv'e got solid motor mounts so maybe thats the reason why __________________ ~~Bruce~~ MY 87 STEPPER MY 99 2D/WD TAHOE

03-16-2003, 04:20 PM	#7
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	I'm using ARP ss bolts too. I use ARP bolts or studs everywhere I can. Motor mounts have very little to do with header leaks. I say yes, if you had such a big cam it shook like an old ladys vibrator, then yes, maybe it would maybe back a bolt out. I can't understand how. If you have lock washers on the bolts, how do they back out. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

03-16-2003, 01:55 AM	#3
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	good quality gaskets are a must, although i see no need for copper gaskets. i always ran Fel Pro header gaskets, and Mr Gasket header bolts, and only had minor problems a few times. a little extra maintnance is a small price to pay for teh performance gains.

03-16-2003, 06:33 PM	#8
84Stepper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 425	where can I buy these locking bolts and how much are they? Ive heard off them I but I cant remember who makes them. The only place I think it is leaking from is the front driver side bolt that goes through the power steering bracket becuase it is all chared black around the gasket. __________________ 84 Chevy Stepside, 350, TH350, 268h Comp cam, Hooker headers, MSD Pro Billet, Edelbrock Performer manifold and 1604 carb, 40 Series Flowmasters dumped, and Western Chassis 3/5 drop w/ c notch. New 3:73 Eaton Posi

03-16-2003, 07:51 PM	#9
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	REgular bolts...regular paper gaskets. Even missing one bolt and no leaks. THICK JBA flanges! Just like mike said...the flange is where its at __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

03-17-2003, 05:41 AM	#10
CHaingKaiShek I love goooooold! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In the middle of Hell, Arizona Posts: 133	Well guys, I have my cheapie flow-tech headers. And even using the Cheapie paper gaskets that came with them, even used the stock mounting hardware. No leaks at all. I did however do something that normal installation does not call for. On each of the header bolts, I ran a bit of teflon tape around them, now it made each bolt a bit harder to thead in, sure - but three months down the road and none of them have backed out at all. The only problem I've had is with my collector gaskets. The cheapie flow-tech gaskets blew out, because the collector to flange mounting hardware was rather stupid. Picked up some new mr.gasket ultra-seal collector gaskets and have not had a problem since (also replaced the collector bolts with new grade 8 nuts, bolts, washers) I'm happy with my cheapie headers, except for the spark plug issue I have. Jeff __________________ "Musha ring dum a doo dum a da Whack for my daddy-o Whack for my daddy-o There's whiskey in the jar-o."

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