collector leak

[76bonanza]

I have an old nasty set of headers on my truck. I have been hearing a leak somewere. the collector gaskets looked bad replaced the one I thought was leaking with an aluminum one. Fired it up not as loud but I can still feel the air puffing out on one side of collector. I can not get it any tighter. I pulled it all apart and I can see in the aluminum gasket that the one side was not pressed into the gasket hard enuf to make an indention. I am planing on getting new headers put it will have to wait a while and I would like to fix this is there anything I can try? double gasket? one aluminum one reg? Any thoughts would help, it also seems the rings are bent somewhat I think I can straighten them some with some c clamps if that would help.

Second question if I can not fix it will it hurt anything other than sound anoying?

Thanks

[jgrh64]

try a double regular gasket with ultra copper sealant generously applied-it is a rigged way to do it but in an emergency it might work for a while. I just installed a new set of headers and I'm trying the new carbon gaskets from Percy's (available from summit racing) we'll see how well they work

[Longhorn Man]

Are these the 1/4 inch dead soft alluminum gaskets? If not... get some. They will seal anything, and you can use them over and over and over... I used the same set on 2 trucks, 3 engines, and god knows how many R&R on the pipes/headers for one reason or another.
There will be no adverse effects from a small (or even large) exhaust leak.

[69RAT]

go to a muffler shop, they usually have the REAL THICK ones. The ones I use are about 3/16", they'll seal well and last. I put on an old set I had 2 years ago and still no leaks.

[Slammed70]

Originally Posted by 76bonanza

I can not get it any tighter.

You didnt over tighten them and warp the thin flimsy collectors did you?

[76bonanza]

The ring on the collector looks warped but not the flange wonder if I use c clamps while I tightned them would help.

the aluminum gasket I had was 1/8 inch thick they make 1/4 inch thick ones?

[Slammed70]

If they're easy to get to, try to experiment.

Ive had the best luck with the cheap paper gaskets, and use the red High Temp Permatex on both sides.

[2nd_wnd]

I had the same problem after the motor swap on the gmc. I took the flange off the old collecters and used them as a gasket, worked great.

Something you might try, real cheap if you happen to have an old set laying around

[70c10]

Did you examine your exhaust pipes?. Start at the collector and work your way back, use a mirror if you have to and inspect wherever there is a joint. If you see black marks that looks like spray it verifies a leak. Hopefully the welds on the collectors themselves are not broken.