Warped Kooks flanges?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,715
Likes: 0
From: Tinker till it blows... then back it off a notch, maybe!!
St. Jude Donor '08
Warped Kooks header flanges?
I have a set of new Kooks 1 3/4" headers for a C5 vette.
One of the flangees (that bolts to the head) is warped about .040" concave. The other is about .045" convex.
Also the gasket and end bolts need opening up for alignment to the head,
Is this normal or should I send them back.
I am waiting on a response from Kooks.
Update: Spoke to Kooks and they say this is normal?
Also, they have come up with NEW material for their gaskets, that will not burn out, unlike the green ones.
One of the flangees (that bolts to the head) is warped about .040" concave. The other is about .045" convex.
Also the gasket and end bolts need opening up for alignment to the head,
Is this normal or should I send them back.
I am waiting on a response from Kooks.
Update: Spoke to Kooks and they say this is normal?
Also, they have come up with NEW material for their gaskets, that will not burn out, unlike the green ones.
Last edited by RJW; Dec 15, 2005 at 03:18 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,215
Likes: 1
From: Mt Isle Harbor NC
My drivers side green one burned out in the first week! It was mostly my fault though... didn't tighten up the last header bolt as much as I should have.
Its interesting that you posted this.. I swear there is still an exhaust leak in mine after the gasket replacement.
Its interesting that you posted this.. I swear there is still an exhaust leak in mine after the gasket replacement.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I didn't see any warpage on my new ones out of the box. Of course I didn't do a straight edge check either.
No problems of any kind 11 months later. I strongly recommend using the stock steel gaskets. HTH
No problems of any kind 11 months later. I strongly recommend using the stock steel gaskets. HTH
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 66
From: Middletown CT
A few years back, I bought a set of used LPE headers that were more than .100" low in the middle. If that wasn't bad enough, the seller or his "mechanics" ((and I use that term loosely) had taken a hand grinder to them to either clean them up, or get them to seal, and totally screwed them up. I had to bring them to a machine shop, where they clamped them to get them as flat as possible and then surface ground them flat. It would have taken too much material off the ends of the flanges, if they didn't clamp them first. $400 later, they were still .045" concave after surface grinding, but they got out the hills and valleys. They were installed with the stock GM gaskets, and have never given me a problem.
Sidenote: The seller never compensated me for the machining. I could have bought new for less. I guess he needed the money for the new Modena he had on order. Nice guy huh?
Glad to hear Kooks is working with you on a resolution. I wouldn't accept new ones that were that bowed either.
Sidenote: The seller never compensated me for the machining. I could have bought new for less. I guess he needed the money for the new Modena he had on order. Nice guy huh?
Glad to hear Kooks is working with you on a resolution. I wouldn't accept new ones that were that bowed either.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,715
Likes: 0
From: Tinker till it blows... then back it off a notch, maybe!!
St. Jude Donor '08
Kooks ays that .040" is normal
I have seen more with other headers, my only fear is stressi induced cracks down the road.
I will give their NEW super gaskets a shot as well.
I have seen more with other headers, my only fear is stressi induced cracks down the road.
I will give their NEW super gaskets a shot as well.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta Ca..... America, fun while it lasted
Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
I didn't see any warpage on my new ones out of the box. Of course I didn't do a straight edge check either.
No problems of any kind 11 months later. I strongly recommend using the stock steel gaskets. HTH
No problems of any kind 11 months later. I strongly recommend using the stock steel gaskets. HTH
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,509
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
Originally Posted by VA 98 VETTE
This more than likely accured during the welding process. Generated too much heat in one area. Welds need to be staggered in the same method as torquing head or intake bolts.
and get the stock metal gaskets...anything less and you are running a risk of failure...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,715
Likes: 0
From: Tinker till it blows... then back it off a notch, maybe!!
St. Jude Donor '08
I was told that the gaskets were a GREEN color, but the NEW gaskets are different.
Has anyone tried and/or had trouble with the new ones?
Has anyone tried and/or had trouble with the new ones?
