header gasket blow outs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

al's71gmc · 07-31-2005, 12:31 AM

Iv'e put about 7000 miles on my truck since purchasing it and keep having it blow header gaskets. When I got it, it was blown on the driver side, back 2 ex. ports. I replaced them and about 4000 miles later it was blown again. Now it is starting to make noise again. Anyone else have these problems? Is there a better gasket available? I don't know what brand header is on my 350, but the po thought they were hookers. Iv'e had cheap thin headers on another rig do this, but in that instance the flange was warped. When I bought new headers it solved the problem. These flanges are about 3/8" thick. Any ideas? Thanks, Al

72 CustomCamper · 07-31-2005, 12:42 AM

The main reason I've had them blow out is because the header bolts back out of the head. I was talking to a buddy a few weeks ago about the problem and he said they used high temp rtv instead of a gasket and haven't had any blow outs since...

Chuck

RODSBYT · 07-31-2005, 01:40 AM

Try permatex : Ultra Black high temp silicone.
Apply it and let it set up a little before installing ,and dont over tighten.
dont run the engine til its cured.
you can snug the bolts up again later.
If the headers dont have a very heavy flange, run good qaulity header gasket with the ultra black.
Good luck....

al's71gmc · 07-31-2005, 02:04 AM

rodsbyt and 72custom- thanks, i'll give it a try.

Hotrod70C10 · 07-31-2005, 02:19 AM

Try using stock exhaust manifold gaskets from felpro-

I've been doing this for some time and haven't had a leak since...
The gaskets i'm talking about are like 2-3 bucks at the parts store.. one side is silver. You'll never go back to those crappy header gaskets.

al's71gmc · 07-31-2005, 02:48 AM

That's actually what I used last time I replaced them, except in a 1 horse town those same gaskets were around $10.

willow72 · 07-31-2005, 04:14 AM

try using the copper header gaskets pick them up at any performance parts place when they start leaking allyou have to do is tighten them up i only had to tighten them up only ounce in 30000 miles

68C15 · 07-31-2005, 07:43 AM

I had the same problem until I git the copper ones. they cost about $45 but havent leaked at all in 2 years. I also bought some 12 point bolts ($7 from Pioneer brand). tightened them down, drove it a day & resnugged them. never touched since that. I think Mr. Gasket ones have a no-leak warranty. look for the thickest ones you can find. mine are .035"

Longhorn Man · 07-31-2005, 10:30 AM

HAve you been checking the torque on the bolts every once in a while? They tend to back out on there own, and if they do and you don't catch it, then a blown gasket can be the result.
I too have never used a header gasket. The first set of headers I bought a buddy of mine tossed me some fell pro manifold gaskets, and they lasted 2 years....untill I pulled the heads. Then on the GMC, I think I had one side on there for 3 years...can't remember if I ever did pull the passenger side one, I know I did on the drivers side when I pulled the tranny to install a converter.

junkyardjohn · 07-31-2005, 10:34 AM

STAGE"8" LOCKING HEADER BOLTS. I'VE BEEN RUNNING HEADERS ON MY TRUCKS FOR 30 YEARS & WOULDN'T CONSIDER PUTTING HEADERS ON A TRUCK WITHOUT THEM. JOHN

Mudder · 07-31-2005, 10:53 AM

My bolts have never backed out in the last 20 years or so and I have had no leaks. I don't use messy silicone, pay money for expensive gaskets or locking bolts.

TN70C10 · 07-31-2005, 11:06 AM

I use either copper or aluminum. You can reuse them for the life of your truck no matter how many times you remove the headers for any reason.

Tx Firefighter · 07-31-2005, 11:35 AM

It sounds like you may have a set of poor quality, cheap headers.

The previous owner may say they are Hookers, but every Hooker header I've ever owned or seen had a Hooker nameplate welded onto them.

al's71gmc · 07-31-2005, 09:33 PM

longhorn man- i retighten the bolts from time to time. and yes they are backing out. mostly the back one on the driver side. it's a little hard to get torqed down good.
junkyardjohn- that sounds like it's worth a try.
tx firefighter- i haven't looked for a nameplate, but they look like pretty heavy flanges. the po didn't do any work himself and probably said hookers cause it's the only brand of header he could think of!
Thanks everyone for the tips. my son wants headers on his when we do the heart swap. so i either need to find a solution or donate my headers to him and take his stock manifolds for my truck. lol

Mudder · 07-31-2005, 10:05 PM

Just cut the flanges with a sawsall and use manifold gaskets. You're bolts won't work loose.

al's71gmc · 07-31-2005, 11:43 PM

hey mudder67- i cut them, but now my heads are cut all to hell! was i supposed to take them off first? just kidding!

**tnblazerk5** · 07-31-2005, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al's71gmc

hey mudder67- i cut them, but now my heads are cut all to hell! was i supposed to take them off first? just kidding!

i have cut a bunch of headers like mudder said to and it works

Johnny05 · 08-01-2005, 01:29 AM

An old Hot Rod trick I learned loooooooong ago is soaking the header gaskets in water for a 1/2 hour or longer then put'em on and snug'em down again after they dry and that should take care of leaks around the flange. If you have a bent flange you can use this same trick and double the gaskets on the bent side. It alway's worked when I used headers.

flip66 · 08-01-2005, 05:54 PM

Had the same problem till I doubled the gaskets on each side works great. I have also heard the copper work good.

modifiedGMC · 08-01-2005, 07:48 PM

I never had much luck either with the header gaskets. I've used the metal/fiber manifold gaskets too before and they worked pretty good. Now all I do is clean the head and header off real good and put some copper hightemp silicone between them. I don't have any leaks any more.

07-31-2005, 12:31 AM	#1
al's71gmc 4 eyed fever Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eureka, Nevada Posts: 500	header gasket blow outs Iv'e put about 7000 miles on my truck since purchasing it and keep having it blow header gaskets. When I got it, it was blown on the driver side, back 2 ex. ports. I replaced them and about 4000 miles later it was blown again. Now it is starting to make noise again. Anyone else have these problems? Is there a better gasket available? I don't know what brand header is on my 350, but the po thought they were hookers. Iv'e had cheap thin headers on another rig do this, but in that instance the flange was warped. When I bought new headers it solved the problem. These flanges are about 3/8" thick. Any ideas? Thanks, Al __________________ 1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!!

07-31-2005, 12:42 AM	#2
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	The main reason I've had them blow out is because the header bolts back out of the head. I was talking to a buddy a few weeks ago about the problem and he said they used high temp rtv instead of a gasket and haven't had any blow outs since... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

07-31-2005, 02:04 AM	#4
al's71gmc 4 eyed fever Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eureka, Nevada Posts: 500	rodsbyt and 72custom- thanks, i'll give it a try. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!!

07-31-2005, 02:19 AM	#5
Hotrod70C10 Low & Slow Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,047	Try using stock exhaust manifold gaskets from felpro- I've been doing this for some time and haven't had a leak since... The gaskets i'm talking about are like 2-3 bucks at the parts store.. one side is silver. You'll never go back to those crappy header gaskets. __________________ 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside 4.5/6 drop

07-31-2005, 02:48 AM	#6
al's71gmc 4 eyed fever Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eureka, Nevada Posts: 500	That's actually what I used last time I replaced them, except in a 1 horse town those same gaskets were around $10. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!!

07-31-2005, 01:40 AM	#3
RODSBYT Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: GRAFTON , OHIO Posts: 58	Try permatex : Ultra Black high temp silicone. Apply it and let it set up a little before installing ,and dont over tighten. dont run the engine til its cured. you can snug the bolts up again later. If the headers dont have a very heavy flange, run good qaulity header gasket with the ultra black. Good luck....

07-31-2005, 04:14 AM	#7
willow72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: dallas/ftwoth Posts: 112	try using the copper header gaskets pick them up at any performance parts place when they start leaking allyou have to do is tighten them up i only had to tighten them up only ounce in 30000 miles

07-31-2005, 07:43 AM	#8
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	I had the same problem until I git the copper ones. they cost about $45 but havent leaked at all in 2 years. I also bought some 12 point bolts ($7 from Pioneer brand). tightened them down, drove it a day & resnugged them. never touched since that. I think Mr. Gasket ones have a no-leak warranty. look for the thickest ones you can find. mine are .035" __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

07-31-2005, 10:30 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	HAve you been checking the torque on the bolts every once in a while? They tend to back out on there own, and if they do and you don't catch it, then a blown gasket can be the result. I too have never used a header gasket. The first set of headers I bought a buddy of mine tossed me some fell pro manifold gaskets, and they lasted 2 years....untill I pulled the heads. Then on the GMC, I think I had one side on there for 3 years...can't remember if I ever did pull the passenger side one, I know I did on the drivers side when I pulled the tranny to install a converter.

07-31-2005, 10:34 AM	#10
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	STAGE"8" LOCKING HEADER BOLTS. I'VE BEEN RUNNING HEADERS ON MY TRUCKS FOR 30 YEARS & WOULDN'T CONSIDER PUTTING HEADERS ON A TRUCK WITHOUT THEM. JOHN Attached Images __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

07-31-2005, 10:53 AM	#11
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	My bolts have never backed out in the last 20 years or so and I have had no leaks. I don't use messy silicone, pay money for expensive gaskets or locking bolts.

07-31-2005, 11:06 AM	#12
TN70C10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 115	I use either copper or aluminum. You can reuse them for the life of your truck no matter how many times you remove the headers for any reason.

07-31-2005, 11:35 AM	#13
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	It sounds like you may have a set of poor quality, cheap headers. The previous owner may say they are Hookers, but every Hooker header I've ever owned or seen had a Hooker nameplate welded onto them. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin Last edited by Tx Firefighter; 07-31-2005 at 11:36 AM.

07-31-2005, 09:33 PM	#14
al's71gmc 4 eyed fever Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eureka, Nevada Posts: 500	longhorn man- i retighten the bolts from time to time. and yes they are backing out. mostly the back one on the driver side. it's a little hard to get torqed down good. junkyardjohn- that sounds like it's worth a try. tx firefighter- i haven't looked for a nameplate, but they look like pretty heavy flanges. the po didn't do any work himself and probably said hookers cause it's the only brand of header he could think of! Thanks everyone for the tips. my son wants headers on his when we do the heart swap. so i either need to find a solution or donate my headers to him and take his stock manifolds for my truck. lol __________________ 1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!!

07-31-2005, 10:05 PM	#15
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Just cut the flanges with a sawsall and use manifold gaskets. You're bolts won't work loose. Attached Images



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07-31-2005, 11:43 PM	#16
al's71gmc 4 eyed fever Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eureka, Nevada Posts: 500	hey mudder67- i cut them, but now my heads are cut all to hell! was i supposed to take them off first? just kidding! __________________ 1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!!

08-01-2005, 01:29 AM	#18
Johnny05 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 73	An old Hot Rod trick I learned loooooooong ago is soaking the header gaskets in water for a 1/2 hour or longer then put'em on and snug'em down again after they dry and that should take care of leaks around the flange. If you have a bent flange you can use this same trick and double the gaskets on the bent side. It alway's worked when I used headers.

08-01-2005, 05:54 PM	#19
flip66 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Garland TX Dallas area Posts: 658	Had the same problem till I doubled the gaskets on each side works great. I have also heard the copper work good. __________________ 1998 Pontiac Grad Prix GTP 1969 C10 396 TH400 3.08 posi

08-01-2005, 07:48 PM	#20
modifiedGMC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Walker Co. Alabama Posts: 474	I never had much luck either with the header gaskets. I've used the metal/fiber manifold gaskets too before and they worked pretty good. Now all I do is clean the head and header off real good and put some copper hightemp silicone between them. I don't have any leaks any more. __________________ If it don't fit, force it,...If it still don't fit , modify it 'till it does fit !!!

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