Header gasket leaks. (I think)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Header gasket leaks. (I think)
Well I have good and bad news.
The good news is that the engine mount bolt has NOT gone through the primary on #6 totally. It has marred it up really good, but has not punctured it.
The bad news is that it APPEARS that my Felpro 1404 header gaskets have matching leaks somewhere on the rear ports on each side of the engine. The problem is I CAN'T FEEL THEM! Arrghh... talk about aggravating.
Any clues? Should I just hold a match up to the damn thing and see what sparks up? :)
I've tightened up every bolt except for the rear one on #8. I have to wait for the engine to cool down so I can go at that one from underneath. All appear good and tight.
These leaks are REALLY pissing me off and make the car sound like a dump truck going down the street. :)
The good news is that the engine mount bolt has NOT gone through the primary on #6 totally. It has marred it up really good, but has not punctured it.
The bad news is that it APPEARS that my Felpro 1404 header gaskets have matching leaks somewhere on the rear ports on each side of the engine. The problem is I CAN'T FEEL THEM! Arrghh... talk about aggravating.
Any clues? Should I just hold a match up to the damn thing and see what sparks up? :)
I've tightened up every bolt except for the rear one on #8. I have to wait for the engine to cool down so I can go at that one from underneath. All appear good and tight.
These leaks are REALLY pissing me off and make the car sound like a dump truck going down the street. :)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,019
Likes: 0
From: down that one road next to that big tree
Re: Header gasket leaks. (scorp508)
fel pro makes great gaskets on everything except exhaust. SCE and perceys are much better, the dead soft copper or aluminum seal better, don't rattle loose as much and generally fit better & don't harden up or blow through like composite. did you port match your gaskets to the head and header before you installed them? also cyl8 sucks just take your time & wrench it down. for some reason i've also noticed ARP header bolts fit better than the stock ones that came with the headers. better threads i guess.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
did you port match your gaskets to the head and header before you installed them? also cyl8 sucks just take your time & wrench it down. for some reason i've also noticed ARP header bolts fit better than the stock ones that came with the headers. better threads i guess.
I'm using the bolts that came with the hooker headers. I have a set of thet 12 point ARP bolts also, but only have a 3/8" drive socket for those which is NOT going to fit no matter how much I'd like it to. :)
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Re: Header gasket leaks. (scorp508)
Try the Contec gaskets, and the ARP 1" long bolts. They have a smaller bolt head that allows you to use a 1/4" drive socket on about all but #8 and #7. I went the standard hex and 12 pt. route. It's a bona fide PITA.
We also used their head gaskets. (4.035" vs most at 4.100") Tighter quench etc. (They manufacture head gaskets for Winston Cup as well.)
We also used their head gaskets. (4.035" vs most at 4.100") Tighter quench etc. (They manufacture head gaskets for Winston Cup as well.)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Did you notice your bolts backing out or such?
Racer
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Dublin Ohio
Re: (scorp508)
I put lingenfelters on last year, used the felpro 1404s and also had leaks after about 500 miles. No amout of tightening of the bolts would seal it up. So I did what I did with my 68 Firebird and doubled the gaskets.
Have not had a problem with leaks on the Firebird since, and it's been 12 years.
Have not had a problem with leaks on the Firebird since, and it's been 12 years.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
I've got a track rental Friday. If I decide to double up tomorrow, do I HAVE to use another set of 1404s, or can I get a set of "something" from Pepboys or Autozone for the time being?
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Racer
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Dublin Ohio
Re: (scorp508)
No. I don't remember if the 1404s have an aluminum port seal but even if they do a cheapo brand will work fine. Just get the kind with slip fittings on the outside bolt holes. 4 less bolts to completely remove. ;)
You should have no trouble with bolt lengths.
[Modified by dublinvette, 12:14 AM 6/20/2002]
You should have no trouble with bolt lengths.
[Modified by dublinvette, 12:14 AM 6/20/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Header gasket leaks. (scorp508)
You're not interested in using 1406's? I understand those to be D-port shape. <looking at summit catalog: it says they are 1.55" x 1.63" vs. 1.55" x 1.55">
[Modified by 89 Paul in Cal, 1:23 AM 6/20/2002]
[Modified by 89 Paul in Cal, 1:23 AM 6/20/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: Header gasket leaks. (scorp508)
Should I just hold a match up to the damn thing and see what sparks up?
These leaks are REALLY pissing me off and make the car sound like a dump truck going down the street.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
Re: Header gasket leaks. (scorp508)
Scorp, I've got the same leak on cylinder #8, so don't feel bad. I'm using mr. Gasket Copperseal gaskets and it's _gotta_ be that last bolt.
Cranking down on everything (using ARP header bolts) I stripped out the forward bolt on #8 :mad :mad :mad Chasing the thread and using a longer bolt, I think it'll be okay.
For all of the _other_ bolts, I've got a set of stage 8 bolts sitting on the workbench awaiting a rainy day. Of note: The stage 8 bolts ALSO have an allen head on 'em, so you might be able to use a combination of your 3/8th socket and an allenwrench to get them snug.
IF the windows are up and the stereo's goin, I can't hear the leak. :rolleyes:
Cranking down on everything (using ARP header bolts) I stripped out the forward bolt on #8 :mad :mad :mad Chasing the thread and using a longer bolt, I think it'll be okay.
For all of the _other_ bolts, I've got a set of stage 8 bolts sitting on the workbench awaiting a rainy day. Of note: The stage 8 bolts ALSO have an allen head on 'em, so you might be able to use a combination of your 3/8th socket and an allenwrench to get them snug.
IF the windows are up and the stereo's goin, I can't hear the leak. :rolleyes:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: Header gasket leaks. (RocketSled)
I am still trying to find a good way to tighten the #8 header bolt..
When I installed them I could not get an allen wrech in the space there either (unless I cut the allen wrench to fit)
When I installed them I could not get an allen wrech in the space there either (unless I cut the allen wrench to fit)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,172
Likes: 11
From: somers, ny
Re: Header gasket leaks. (tntcorvette)
i put a light coat on both sides of the gasket. Start the two outer header bolts, then try to drop it in without scraping off the rtv. I've used either the red or the ultra copper. I actually used the ultra copper to seal a 3/4" hole in the exhasut of my Maxima once. I just smeared a glob over the hole and it lasted for over 6 months!!! Great stuff.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Header gasket leaks. (ralph)
I use the Copper gaskets and cover them in Ultra Copper RTV. I press the gaskets onto the head and use the header bolt to line them up. I then let the RTV setup a little (20-30 minutes) on the gaskets before installing the header. Seems to work well and I have reused the copper gaskets 6-8 times already.