HEADERS
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Monroe North Carolina
HEADERS
How in the world can i get these headers to stop leaking? They are leaking from the heads and the collectors. I have tried dead soft aluminum collector gaskets and copper header gaskets. What next?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: HEADERS (Corvettelvr73)
On my heads I use Permatex High temp RTV with a good gasket. They don't leak any more. I have even removed them a couple of times and they still don't leak. My collectors still leak a little. A little soot on the bellhousing after 100+ miles. I can live with that.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Re: HEADERS (Corvettelvr73)
You need to get the mating surface area of the header flat. A die grinder does the trick, then you can use a regular gasket to complete the seal. Good bolts & Lock Washers will need to be rechecked/torqued after the engine is warmed up....torque to 30 ftlbs :smash:
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Re: HEADERS (Corvettelvr73)
I had set of headers once that the flanges were so warped, they wouldn't seat with full torque on the bolts.
I ended up taking them back off the car. I put them in a vice and then proceeded to flat file the flange with a big metal file. It took quite a bit of fiing to get it straight. There was a combination of sloppy welds at the tubes/flange joint and the flange was not straight either. After I was satified that it was filed straight, it mated up nicely with the engine. No leaks after all was installed .
I supose one could use a power tool to do the majority of the work. But the large flat file will do well in getting it nice and straight. :smash: :smash:
I ended up taking them back off the car. I put them in a vice and then proceeded to flat file the flange with a big metal file. It took quite a bit of fiing to get it straight. There was a combination of sloppy welds at the tubes/flange joint and the flange was not straight either. After I was satified that it was filed straight, it mated up nicely with the engine. No leaks after all was installed .
I supose one could use a power tool to do the majority of the work. But the large flat file will do well in getting it nice and straight. :smash: :smash:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 0
Re: HEADERS (Corvettelvr73)
I heard that when you install them, the 1st couple of weeks you've GOT to keep checking the torque for a leak-proof system. Keeping them tight and flat. I would just say make sure everything is flat and use some copper gaskets.
