More hooker install problems
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 3
From: Port Orange FL
More hooker install problems
I am back to working on my shorty Hooker install today on my 94 LT1.
I am using locking style bolts and the Mr Gasket copper header gaskets. These gaskets are flat with a thick ring around the header port. The problem I am having is that my headers seem to want to mount themselves at an angle to the head. All of the bolts tighten up well. But if you look at the header from the top there is slightly more than 1/16" gap between the header flange and the flat of the head. If you look at it from the bottom the two surfaces are smashed flat together. Both sides are like this. I thought perhaps the exhaust system was holding it this way but loosened it up and it makes no difference. It looks like its going to leak to me. I even stuck a big pry bar down between the block and the header to see if the bottom of the header would pry outward, moving the top of the flange inward, but no go. The whole block moves around on the mounts but the header/head surface relationship stays the same. Input?
Thanks
Roy
I am using locking style bolts and the Mr Gasket copper header gaskets. These gaskets are flat with a thick ring around the header port. The problem I am having is that my headers seem to want to mount themselves at an angle to the head. All of the bolts tighten up well. But if you look at the header from the top there is slightly more than 1/16" gap between the header flange and the flat of the head. If you look at it from the bottom the two surfaces are smashed flat together. Both sides are like this. I thought perhaps the exhaust system was holding it this way but loosened it up and it makes no difference. It looks like its going to leak to me. I even stuck a big pry bar down between the block and the header to see if the bottom of the header would pry outward, moving the top of the flange inward, but no go. The whole block moves around on the mounts but the header/head surface relationship stays the same. Input?
Thanks
Roy
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Are your flanges perfectly flat or do the ports (on theflange)have "beads" around them? This could be a reason why. Try starting it and check or leaks.
I'm assuming your tailpipes aren't hooked up when you are trying to tighten the flanges up.
I'm assuming your tailpipes aren't hooked up when you are trying to tighten the flanges up.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
I had the same problem with my 88 L98. Hooker long tube headers.I could not get them to seal. Gaps on one side, other side fit a little better, but not perfect. After hours of adjustments, I went to the auto parts store and got extra thick gaskets and permatex. Looks like hell but never leaked again!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
Doubling paper gaskets was what we did in the old days because aside from race headers the flanges were crap. Those Mr G ones have a round ring around the port outline, and not really a "d " shape (if they are the ones I am thinking about) might be trying to **** itself in the port of the header.
Did you try to size it up to the header and or ports before bolting it up ? If you don't have it all bolted up w/pipes pull it and see what it looks like w/std. fel-pro. I know everyone here like the percy or Mr G
but I saw the earls ones and think they look alot better, same w/collector. JMO
Did you try to size it up to the header and or ports before bolting it up ? If you don't have it all bolted up w/pipes pull it and see what it looks like w/std. fel-pro. I know everyone here like the percy or Mr G
but I saw the earls ones and think they look alot better, same w/collector. JMO
