Header leaks!!! help me make it stop
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Header leaks!!! help me make it stop
Headers have been on for two weeks now and I'm already tired of the header leaks, tried the local part store cheapo gaskes and some Mr.Gasket copper gaskets, I think the cheapos did better but both leakes pretty bad under any sort of accelleration. Before i throw more money at another set of gaskets I thought I'd ask for some helpfull advice from all of the other vette addicts that may have dealt with this problem.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: hamilton square NJ
Re: Header leaks!!! help me make it stop (73 LS-4)
hey man i have the same problem with my hooker super comps. i'm thinking of switching to percy's seal 4 good. They are expensive but I think they will do the trick :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Re: Header leaks!!! help me make it stop (73 LS-4)
Hello Pat,
This subject has been beaten to death but I will be happy to give you my 2 cents based upon personal experience.
First off I don't know the header mfg you are using but I can tell you that some of these mfg make real crap that are very hard to get sealed up. If you are using some of the new copper gaskets that is a good start. I would look at the flanges on the headers to make sure that they are even across the mounting surface to the heads. I have seen guys grind down uneven surfaces on headers with great results. The fix that has worked for me twice without fail is using stage 8 locking faseners. Headers leak when the bolts comes loose. With the stage 8 locking fasteners you set them and forget them. They are a great product and not very expensive. I have also had buddies use the ARP header bolts with great success. Hope this helps give you some ideas. Best wishes
This subject has been beaten to death but I will be happy to give you my 2 cents based upon personal experience.
First off I don't know the header mfg you are using but I can tell you that some of these mfg make real crap that are very hard to get sealed up. If you are using some of the new copper gaskets that is a good start. I would look at the flanges on the headers to make sure that they are even across the mounting surface to the heads. I have seen guys grind down uneven surfaces on headers with great results. The fix that has worked for me twice without fail is using stage 8 locking faseners. Headers leak when the bolts comes loose. With the stage 8 locking fasteners you set them and forget them. They are a great product and not very expensive. I have also had buddies use the ARP header bolts with great success. Hope this helps give you some ideas. Best wishes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Header leaks!!! help me make it stop (73 LS-4)
A few other things to look at.
1-Undo the headers at the collector.
2-Then tighten the header bolts to the head from the middle out.
3-Once retightened, check your fit-up at the collector. Sometiimes misallignment there strains the headerbolts.
I forget the brand name. But I bought aluminum gaskets from Summit. These have never failed to seal well for me..
Good luck
1-Undo the headers at the collector.
2-Then tighten the header bolts to the head from the middle out.
3-Once retightened, check your fit-up at the collector. Sometiimes misallignment there strains the headerbolts.
I forget the brand name. But I bought aluminum gaskets from Summit. These have never failed to seal well for me..
Good luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: Header leaks!!! help me make it stop (73 LS-4)
Thanks for the replies, I've got the ARP header bolts and the headers leak off the bat so I don't think it has anything to do with the bolts backing out since they remain tight every time I checked them. Earl's just came out with a new line of heder gaskets with some sort of embossed seal on them, may try going with a set of those, Summit lists two different part numbers for the big chevy's with these with a 20 dollar difference between the two but no explanation as to what the difference is, so I sent them an e-mail asking for some details on the difference.
Pat Kunz
Pat Kunz
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 1
From: Ga.
Re: Header leaks!!! help me make it stop (73 LS-4)
Another helpful hint is to tighten all the header bolts after replacing the gaskets. Run the engine for about 15-20 minutes, then retighten the header bolts. Do this a few times and this should help. I make it a practice to check my header bolts every other week or so. :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Re: Header leaks!!! help me make it stop (Bob Jenkins)
The shop that installed my Super Comps cut the header flange on both side of the center cylinders...I guess this lets the flange expand and not bulge vreating a leak....its working so far :D
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Re: Header leaks!!! help me make it stop (73 LS-4)
73LS-4,
You might consider cutting your flanges,they can warp badly and this can help (it worked for me) just one cut (with a hacksaw or sawzall) between cylinders. Once they are cut each you will see how warped the flanges are because they will "spring" apart BUT you will be able to get the bolts in.
...redvetracr
You might consider cutting your flanges,they can warp badly and this can help (it worked for me) just one cut (with a hacksaw or sawzall) between cylinders. Once they are cut each you will see how warped the flanges are because they will "spring" apart BUT you will be able to get the bolts in.
...redvetracr
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