side pipes leak
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: baltimore ohio
side pipes leak
I have hooker side pipes on my car and were the side pipe goes over the header I have exhaust leak on both sides. Has any used a exhaust sealer? If so what type? Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,325
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From: Western NY
Assuming your side tubes have the "split clamp" on them, I'll assume that you've tightened it. I had a set of these pipes on a Firebird, back in the late 70s, and they NEVER were "leak free". I suppose I could have "cranked the crap" out of that clamping bolt, and closed it up some more, but I lived with the leakage, since I had the black painted headers, and needed to take them off a couple of times, for refinishing.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
I also have side pipes/headers in polished stainless. Hooker copies. The clamp had to be real tight for them not to leak. Before I got them tight enough to not leak I found that deisel trunk parts supplies have a polished stainless band clamp. I considered using them. My type of clamp has the slit in the side pile with 2 lugs for the bolt. The bolt slides through the top lug and threads into the lower. I had to get them so tight that I was afraid the lugs would break off or strip out. To install the band type clamps you have to remove the 2 lugs on each pipe so the band can slide on. The band is centered over the pipe seam and has 2 bolts to tighten. I have seen them on side pipes and they look good. I learned of these clamps talking to Classic Pipes when I bought my chambered inserts.
Added info: when I installed the inserts I wrapped them in a fiberglass blanket and wrapped them again with header tape. That make the side pipes much cooler at the door where your leg is getting out. I used temp gun to see and at the door center area of the pile it's normally 75*. That's about 50% cooler than with out the blanket and tape.
Added info: when I installed the inserts I wrapped them in a fiberglass blanket and wrapped them again with header tape. That make the side pipes much cooler at the door where your leg is getting out. I used temp gun to see and at the door center area of the pile it's normally 75*. That's about 50% cooler than with out the blanket and tape.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Gulf of America
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Make sure you have the side tubes "square" with the collectors. You may have to do a little bit of adjusting where they attach to the frame so that they sit over the header end straight and not at an angle. That way when you tighten the clamp bolt, it should seal well. I don't use a sealer on mine but instead use hi-temp antiseize so I can remove the tubes later if I want.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
Added info: when I installed the inserts I wrapped them in a fiberglass blanket and wrapped them again with header tape. That make the side pipes much cooler at the door where your leg is getting out. I used temp gun to see and at the door center area of the pile it's normally 75*. That's about 50% cooler than with out the blanket and tape.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
I have the hooker max-flows and was considering wrapping them to reduce external temperatures, but I do not want it to reduce the sound. I understand the insert is sealed on the exterior and wrapping technically should not effect its sound dampening, but am curious if the header wrap DOES make an effect on the sound by reducing any sort of echoing/resonance in the otherwise open space between the insert and pipe.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
Let me clarify - did you run the inserts first without wrapping, and then wrap them: if so, was there a sound difference?
I have the hooker max-flows and was considering wrapping them to reduce external temperatures, but I do not want it to reduce the sound. I understand the insert is sealed on the exterior and wrapping technically should not effect its sound dampening, but am curious if the header wrap DOES make an effect on the sound by reducing any sort of echoing/resonance in the otherwise open space between the insert and pipe.
I have the hooker max-flows and was considering wrapping them to reduce external temperatures, but I do not want it to reduce the sound. I understand the insert is sealed on the exterior and wrapping technically should not effect its sound dampening, but am curious if the header wrap DOES make an effect on the sound by reducing any sort of echoing/resonance in the otherwise open space between the insert and pipe.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
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From: Medina Ohio
Good to hear. I was probably going to use the DEI header wrap with some stainless steel zip ties to keep it in place.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
I also used fiberglass heat blanket with the tape over it. Not sure of how the heat will be blocked with just tape. Secured the ends with stainless ties
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
Ok. So did you literally use a fiberglass blanket, as in the type used for welding? I just wasn't clear what type of product you were using when referred to as "fiberglass blanket". Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
It looked and felt similar to white fiberglass matting; or more in texture like the batting material use in apholstery. It will come up on eBay. There is also a fiberglass blanket material that is weaved cloth with foil backing that would work just as well. After installing the blanket and tape I had the thought I could have just double layered the tape.