Leaking header gaskets on my BBC!!...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Suwanee GA
Leaking header gaskets on my BBC!!...
I have tried two different sets, one the inexpensive Mr. Gasket style with the metal composite combo and the other the low end paper Fel-pro's. Both leaked badly on the left header on the top side of the #3 cylinder. I have new GM alum heads and reusing my old Hedman headers that have been recoated and never leaked before.
Will copper gaskets solve the problem (assuming I do not have a bent header flange-which I doubt). What about the "dead-soft" aluminum ones that Percy's has. Anyone use either type for street use? It is making so much racket I can bearly hear my solid lifters tapping away.
Will copper gaskets solve the problem (assuming I do not have a bent header flange-which I doubt). What about the "dead-soft" aluminum ones that Percy's has. Anyone use either type for street use? It is making so much racket I can bearly hear my solid lifters tapping away.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
My Trick Flow heads have "D" shaped exhaust ports and my Headman headers have round port flanges. This presented a sealing challenge.
First time around I used square port gaskets made of copper, (SCE Pro from Summit Racing), and they leaked at the corners of the "D" port.
Second attempt was using standard el-cheapo exhaust manifold gaskets with high-temp gasket sealant and they held up fairly well but finally failed.
Third attempt was Mr. Gasket brand Ultra-Seal round port header gaskets and they too leaked at the corners of the "D" port.
Currently I'm using round port - Percy's dead soft aluminum gaskets, they sealed up fine and are holding.
First time around I used square port gaskets made of copper, (SCE Pro from Summit Racing), and they leaked at the corners of the "D" port.
Second attempt was using standard el-cheapo exhaust manifold gaskets with high-temp gasket sealant and they held up fairly well but finally failed.
Third attempt was Mr. Gasket brand Ultra-Seal round port header gaskets and they too leaked at the corners of the "D" port.
Currently I'm using round port - Percy's dead soft aluminum gaskets, they sealed up fine and are holding.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I had problems so i removed the headers and cut with a hawksaw almost all the way through the flange from the backside between each port. I then used cheap gaskets, high temp copper silicon and never had a problem agian.
The cut allowed each tube to be pulled down better to the head. If there was warped problem the cuts releaved it.
The cut allowed each tube to be pulled down better to the head. If there was warped problem the cuts releaved it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
I'm using the ones supplied with my Hookers and Stage 8 locking bolts with no leaks... The gaskets Hooker supplied were graphite coated on both sides and were some kind of perforated aluminum/paper sandwich about 1/8" thick. They compressed quite a bit while torqueing. They didn't have any name on them...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
As has been mentioned: the shape of the port is important. I used round port gaskets and cut the corners back some with an exacto knife until the holes in the gaskets were the same shape as the ports in the headers.
I then used black RTV on both sides. Retorqued the bolts twice within the first few days. No leaks. I used the cheap mr gasket white ones.
I then used black RTV on both sides. Retorqued the bolts twice within the first few days. No leaks. I used the cheap mr gasket white ones.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Get some Earl's header seals. I had the same problem a few months back with the copper header gaskets and Earl's solved that. I also used their collector seals. This stuff is kinda pricey but you put em on and that's it. You DO NOT have to come back and retighten. Well worth it IMO.
Brett
Brett
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,381
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Originally Posted by Brettmc
Get some Earl's header seals. I had the same problem a few months back with the copper header gaskets and Earl's solved that. I also used their collector seals. This stuff is kinda pricey but you put em on and that's it. You DO NOT have to come back and retighten. Well worth it IMO.
Brett
Brett
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by Brettmc
Get some Earl's header seals. I had the same problem a few months back with the copper header gaskets and Earl's solved that. I also used their collector seals. This stuff is kinda pricey but you put em on and that's it. You DO NOT have to come back and retighten. Well worth it IMO.
Brett
Brett
