Cannot get header to seal!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BrutonLS1 · 02-14-2013, 05:31 PM

Howdy guys,
I've been through 2 gaskets on the passenger side!! right from the start up they putt and leak out the bottom. The second time I did my absolute best to center it and tighten the bolts evenly from inside/out ( I hate that heater core by the way!!!)
any ideas?

69GWC · 02-14-2013, 05:35 PM

Have you tried those copper header gaskets.

Is you exhaust binding up and not allowing the header to set on the head correctly
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Sammy · 02-14-2013, 05:37 PM

Throw away the gaskets. Get a tube of the black RTV. cleans both well no oil. Put the rtv about an 1/8 " bead all around be liberal. Let it set for 3 or 4 minutes each side and bolt it up. Some even put it on the bolts but doubt it is necessary unless they get loose on you. Also recommend you retorgue them after a short drive or in a week or so. Tryed the gasket thing and this works. Haven't seen it fail yet. Good luck

1967chevytruck · 02-14-2013, 06:04 PM

we use ultra cooper when it sets up you cant pry it off

bonnieclyde100 · 02-14-2013, 10:27 PM

take a straight edge ands see if the header is flat you might have to resurface the header to make flat. i had one that would not seal and i put on belt sander to make flat.

firedog · 02-14-2013, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy

Throw away the gaskets. Get a tube of the black RTV. cleans both well no oil. Put the rtv about an 1/8 " bead all around be liberal. Let it set for 3 or 4 minutes each side and bolt it up. Some even put it on the bolts but doubt it is necessary unless they get loose on you. Also recommend you retorgue them after a short drive or in a week or so. Tryed the gasket thing and this works. Haven't seen it fail yet. Good luck

We also let it set over night prior to driving it anywhere. Make sure it is the hi temp black rtv. Was told this trick by some dirt track racers.

sapper4 · 02-14-2013, 11:21 PM

Iave always had good luck with paper gaskets. Soak them in water overnight and install them wet. As soon as you getthem torqued, take the truck for a drive and get it up to operating temperature. The heat will dry the gaskets quickly and help them seal.

kelbystanley · 02-16-2013, 06:59 AM

use 2 gaskets

eightbanger · 02-16-2013, 07:14 AM

You tell that heater core who's boss brother....

Seriously though...is the header unbolted from the collector? it can put a little bit of a twist on the header making it not seat properly, not much! but thats all it takes. Just a thought.

Scott>72-GMC · 02-16-2013, 07:29 AM

Stage 8 - Locking Header Bolt Kit - YouTube

Set of these bolts might help to so they don't back out
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1972crewcab · 02-16-2013, 10:01 AM

Remflex gaskets. They work great no trick to putting them on and comes right apart when you need it to.

Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

FRENCHBLUE72 · 02-16-2013, 10:22 AM

I use copper gaskets top and bottom and not leaks..

02-14-2013, 05:31 PM	#1
BrutonLS1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Weatherford, Tx Posts: 142	Cannot get header to seal!!! Howdy guys, I've been through 2 gaskets on the passenger side!! right from the start up they putt and leak out the bottom. The second time I did my absolute best to center it and tighten the bolts evenly from inside/out ( I hate that heater core by the way!!!) any ideas? Attached Images __________________ -Bruton 1968 GMC long bed 5.7/700R4 --I'd rather push a Chevy, than drive a Ford.--

02-14-2013, 05:35 PM	#2
69GWC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,089	Re: Cannot get header to seal!!! Have you tried those copper header gaskets. Is you exhaust binding up and not allowing the header to set on the head correctly Posted via Mobile Device

02-14-2013, 05:37 PM	#3
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Cannot get header to seal!!! Throw away the gaskets. Get a tube of the black RTV. cleans both well no oil. Put the rtv about an 1/8 " bead all around be liberal. Let it set for 3 or 4 minutes each side and bolt it up. Some even put it on the bolts but doubt it is necessary unless they get loose on you. Also recommend you retorgue them after a short drive or in a week or so. Tryed the gasket thing and this works. Haven't seen it fail yet. Good luck __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

02-14-2013, 06:04 PM	#4
1967chevytruck Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: LaGrange KY Posts: 9	Re: Cannot get header to seal!!! we use ultra cooper when it sets up you cant pry it off

02-14-2013, 10:27 PM	#5
bonnieclyde100 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Henderson,TX Posts: 336	Re: Cannot get header to seal!!! take a straight edge ands see if the header is flat you might have to resurface the header to make flat. i had one that would not seal and i put on belt sander to make flat.

02-14-2013, 11:21 PM	#7
sapper4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Hope Mills, NC Posts: 62	Re: Cannot get header to seal!!! Iave always had good luck with paper gaskets. Soak them in water overnight and install them wet. As soon as you getthem torqued, take the truck for a drive and get it up to operating temperature. The heat will dry the gaskets quickly and help them seal.

02-16-2013, 06:59 AM	#8
kelbystanley Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 39	Re: Cannot get header to seal!!! use 2 gaskets

02-16-2013, 07:14 AM	#9
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Cannot get header to seal!!! You tell that heater core who's boss brother.... Seriously though...is the header unbolted from the collector? it can put a little bit of a twist on the header making it not seat properly, not much! but thats all it takes. Just a thought. __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

02-16-2013, 10:01 AM	#11
1972crewcab Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 4	Re: Cannot get header to seal!!! Remflex gaskets. They work great no trick to putting them on and comes right apart when you need it to. Posted via Mobile Device Posted via Mobile Device Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 gmc k2500 ochra & white (best colors ever)i like them 1971 gmc crew cab (in progress) 1985 toyota ext pickup trail rig (cat yellow) 2009 rzr

02-16-2013, 10:22 AM	#12
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Re: Cannot get header to seal!!! I use copper gaskets top and bottom and not leaks.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..



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