Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers
I once again have a leak with my headers (hooker 2061's)... right at the 3 bolt flange. I had an exhaust shop put aluminum sleeves in there, but still i have a leak on the passenger side. I'm going to take it back to another exhaust shop tomorrow to see what they can do. Any idea's in the mean time? It's coming from one third of the flange. 3 bolt triangle pattern. I tried loosening the other two, tightening that one down then tightening the other two back... but no luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
How about using the copper collector flange gaskets with the copper doughnut in the middle?
I had to use them on my big tube Hooker SC's in my 383 or I would blow collector gaskets every other time I got on it hard.
The copper with doughnut centers are 100% blow out proof.
I had to use them on my big tube Hooker SC's in my 383 or I would blow collector gaskets every other time I got on it hard.
The copper with doughnut centers are 100% blow out proof.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
You can also try these if you cant find them locally:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...7177&view=2047
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...7177&view=2047
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (BBA)
I didn't know those would work on doughnut flanges :confused: . Looks like the pic from that link goes with flat mating surfaces.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 1
From: Bowie MD
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
3 bolt triangle flange, problems, I had same on my transam a few years back. I had them weld a steel sleeve in there so that heat would not even see the gasket area. I am glad now that I have the slip on TPIS coated long headers. sorry to hear your havin probs. I know that cold air coming into headers is a problem. both noise and for the head.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
I think the Dodge 4 cylinder doughnut gasket may work...I remember it had close to a 3" hole size, but it might have been only 2.5"
Go to a parts store and see what you can find but I think the copper might still work because it will deform to fit the contour of the seal when you tighten it down. Then again, if you tried one, a $7.00 loss isnt that bad just to see if it wont work.
Go to a parts store and see what you can find but I think the copper might still work because it will deform to fit the contour of the seal when you tighten it down. Then again, if you tried one, a $7.00 loss isnt that bad just to see if it wont work.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (BBA)
Well, i'm going to the ehuast shop with it tomorrow... and i would hope they can do that. I hate spending more $ on this exhaust, but I really hate working on exhaust under the car :mad .
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
Went to the exhaust shop... this guy knows what he's doing. The second I pulled up as I was pulling into the bay he told me I had a leak at the head/header and it was only one port. Said it was that distinct lifter type tapping leak. Also put it up on the lift and he said he thinks that the joint where the 4 pipes are welded together at the collector has a crack or is leaking there.. . SOOOOO .... i have to pull the f'ing thing off again and take it to him for him to test for leaks. ARG!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
Went to the exhaust shop... this guy knows what he's doing. The second I pulled up as I was pulling into the bay he told me I had a leak at the head/header and it was only one port. Said it was that distinct lifter type tapping leak. Also put it up on the lift and he said he thinks that the joint where the 4 pipes are welded together at the collector has a crack or is leaking there..
Cool, hopefully that's the cause of the problem. I have a leak too, and I think it's only one cylinder. I already put new deadsoft header gaskets on, and have had the exhaust off and readjusted a bunch of times, nothing has had as effect on the noise.
Let us know if you get the problem solved. :yesnod:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (CentralCoaster)
You'll definitely be hearing about it :lol: :yesnod: .
Also, i'm going to get some copper header gaskets. This guy says the papery ones I'm using aren't going to last at all and is probably why they are leaking at the head. Not going to touch the other side since it's all sealed up and working fine :).
Also, i'm going to get some copper header gaskets. This guy says the papery ones I'm using aren't going to last at all and is probably why they are leaking at the head. Not going to touch the other side since it's all sealed up and working fine :).
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
Get some LT's Glock!
:chevy
Acually im sure there is some magicaal reason wh you haven't already done that. :leaving:
[Modified by VictorRussell'92, 3:18 PM 2/4/2004]
[Modified by VictorRussell'92, 3:18 PM 2/4/2004]
:chevy
Acually im sure there is some magicaal reason wh you haven't already done that. :leaving:
[Modified by VictorRussell'92, 3:18 PM 2/4/2004]
[Modified by VictorRussell'92, 3:18 PM 2/4/2004]
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (VictorRussell'92)
Get some LT's Glock!
:chevy
Acually im sure there is some magicaal reason wh you haven't already done that. :leaving:
:chevy
Acually im sure there is some magicaal reason wh you haven't already done that. :leaving:
I'm still considering it though as I can make it pass by changing my tuning.. i'd just fail visual.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
Well.......... here's the damage. Anyone know if I can get this fixed? I'm going to take it back to the exhaust guy tomorrow to see what he can do. I didn't see any particular places on the header gasket that showed black marks of a leak. Hopefully the copper will fix it.
[Modified by GlockLT4, 11:35 PM 2/4/2004]
[Modified by GlockLT4, 11:35 PM 2/4/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 4
From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
Get some LT's Glock!
:chevy
Acually im sure there is some magicaal reason wh you haven't already done that. :leaving:
Yep... emissions ****'s here are getting really strict. Guy at the exhaust shop said that moving the cats will fail any inspection where they see the headers... moving them puts them farther from the engine and lets them cool a bit... causing them to not work well.
I'm still considering it though as I can make it pass by changing my tuning.. i'd just fail visual.
:chevy
Acually im sure there is some magicaal reason wh you haven't already done that. :leaving:
Yep... emissions ****'s here are getting really strict. Guy at the exhaust shop said that moving the cats will fail any inspection where they see the headers... moving them puts them farther from the engine and lets them cool a bit... causing them to not work well.
I'm still considering it though as I can make it pass by changing my tuning.. i'd just fail visual.
Huh I didn't know they were getting that bad in Texas. Sucks.
Ouch on the damage too! Wish I could be more helpful.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
Find some Cometic gaskets. (I may have mis-spelled it) They make fantastic head and header gaskets. Used by Winston Cup teams. They don't leak when properly installed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (GlockLT4)
Just have the flanges arc welded together with a continuous bead. Unless you think you'll ever "wear out" a set of headers.
BIG JIM
BIG JIM
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Continuous problems with leaky shorty headers (BIG JIM 54)
Just have the flanges arc welded together with a continuous bead. Unless you think you'll ever "wear out" a set of headers.
BIG JIM
BIG JIM