bad header leak problem

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Mar 1, 2007 | 09:21 PM

C3 4ME

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 6,247

Likes: 471

From: Glen Allen, VA

bad header leak problem

I just put new gaskets on my headers after taking them off to be ceramic coated. They were fine before I took them off, but now it''s not just a ticking sound, it sounds bad enough to sound like a hole in the exhaust. I checked all the bolts and they are all tight. My only concern is the stud that the A/C compressor attaches with. I checked it an it's tight, but that seems to be where the leak is coming from. I just ordered a set of Mr Gasket Ultra Seals, I have Fel Pro's on there now. I hope the headers didn't get warped somehow. Any other ideas? forgot t mention, Hooker Super Comps on stock L-82 heads.

Last edited by C3 4ME; Mar 1, 2007 at 09:24 PM.

Mar 1, 2007 | 09:45 PM

bondoboy

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 1,036

Likes: 2

From: Huntingburg Indiana

Maybe a piece of the old gasket was still stuck to the head. Over-tightening the headers will warp the flange.

Mar 1, 2007 | 10:39 PM

Edzred72

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 5,943

Likes: 3

From: Wildwood IL

Earls or Percy's soft aluminum or soft copper header gaskets are probably the best out there. They conform to your header flanges as you tighten, and will never blow out. Can also be re-used. Available at Summit or Jegs.

Eddie

Mar 1, 2007 | 11:43 PM

ram82fire

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 1,102

Likes: 0

From: spring city pa

Check your flanges for straightness , this is a common problem after getting the headers coated .

gman

Mar 2, 2007 | 06:28 PM

turbovette80

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 110

Likes: 0

From: wakefield uk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edzred72

Eddie

Mar 2, 2007 | 07:02 PM

bobs77vet

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 11,874

Likes: 263

From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod

perhaps the stud is bottoming out....check the depth of the hole

Mar 2, 2007 | 07:24 PM

vetteaddic

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 899

Likes: 1

From: Kansas

Maybe the coating is causing the problem,take a file and file across the mating surface .I do this on all headers ,another thing is did you retighten the bolts after running the engine for awhile?

Mar 3, 2007 | 11:17 AM

77BuffaloVet

Racer

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 455

Likes: 0

From: Buffalo New York

Don't forget the flange connection to the pipes...I had a leak that I couldn't get rid of...tick tick tick...worked over the header bolts and changed gaskets and couldn't get it to go away. I replaced the gaskets at the flange to pipe connection and it is finally gone!!!

Good Luck