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Kooks headers leaking

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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 12:50 AM
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Default Kooks headers leaking
I just recently installed some Kooks headers and they are leaking at the flanges. Anyone have any ideas how to get them to seal? Any ideas greatly appreciated not trying to have to pull these off as they were not the easy install headers I was told they were when I purchased them.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 12:55 AM
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at the head flange? New gaskets? Torqued down?
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 01:42 AM
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Yes at the head flange. New OEM gaskets. I have be to assume they are torqued correctly it's at the shop
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 10:03 AM
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I wouldn't assume anything. Everyone makes mistakes, maybe the installer got distracted and forgot to torque them down right, or maybe a new guy was on the job... Get yourself a torque wrench and check.
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 05:24 PM
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Ill bet they are not tight enough--snug em down good-
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Old Oct 27, 2014 | 10:43 PM
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If any of the bolts are cross threaded they will feel tight but not clamp correctly. You have to be careful installing the bolts.
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Old Oct 28, 2014 | 12:24 AM
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They are leaking between the bolts everything is torqued correctly... Like the flange is bowed out on the primary
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Old Oct 28, 2014 | 01:08 AM
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Is this new or second hand? If second hand you could try spraying some copper gasket maker on both sides of the gasket... Not the ideal solution but it may do the trick.
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Old Oct 28, 2014 | 03:11 PM
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When you checked the torque, did you start at center bolts and work outward??
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Old Nov 2, 2014 | 06:29 AM
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Default Headers
No dice getting these to seal up. Only option we are seeing is to cut them out of the car to install a new set. Any assistance before I go this option would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Nov 2, 2014 | 09:16 AM
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Are soft aluminum gaskets available for the LS 1 heads? Some headers are flatter than others, for those that are not flat, cut the flanges between tubes, use soft aluminum or copper gaskets. At least for a traditional SBC that'd be my approach.
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Old Nov 2, 2014 | 12:21 PM
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Before tossing them, if gaskets don't work, take them to a machine shop and have them mill the flanges flat if they are indeed warped. Shouldn't cost anywhere near that of new headers....
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Old Nov 3, 2014 | 11:01 AM
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The issue with fixing them is getting them out. They are not the easy install headers. I am kind of over messing with them and want my car back. My car is a Z06 so I would need LS6 gaskets
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Old Nov 3, 2014 | 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Gotubch
The issue with fixing them is getting them out. They are not the easy install headers. I am kind of over messing with them and want my car back. My car is a Z06 so I would need LS6 gaskets
Makes sense then, a lot of work for the non-easy fit Kooks...
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