Kooks headers leaking

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Oct 27, 2014 | 12:50 AM

Gotubch

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 347

Likes: 4

From: Chesapeake VA

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.
Thanks

Oct 27, 2014 | 12:55 AM

aaronc7

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 2,049

Likes: 316

From: USA

at the head flange? New gaskets? Torqued down?

Oct 27, 2014 | 01:42 AM

Gotubch

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 347

Likes: 4

From: Chesapeake VA

Yes at the head flange. New OEM gaskets. I have be to assume they are torqued correctly it's at the shop

Oct 27, 2014 | 10:03 AM

grantv

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 5,278

Likes: 539

From: Kelowna BC

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.

Oct 27, 2014 | 05:24 PM

bobby777

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 2,334

Likes: 11

From: las vegas nv.

Ill bet they are not tight enough--snug em down good-

Oct 27, 2014 | 10:43 PM

martysauto

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 1,719

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From: cinnaminson n.j.

St. Jude Donor '14

If any of the bolts are cross threaded they will feel tight but not clamp correctly. You have to be careful installing the bolts.

Oct 28, 2014 | 12:24 AM

Gotubch

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 347

Likes: 4

From: Chesapeake VA

They are leaking between the bolts everything is torqued correctly... Like the flange is bowed out on the primary

Oct 28, 2014 | 01:08 AM

aaronc7

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 2,049

Likes: 316

From: USA

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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Oct 28, 2014 | 03:11 PM

leadfoot4

Team Owner

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 87,298

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From: Western NY

When you checked the torque, did you start at center bolts and work outward??

Nov 2, 2014 | 06:29 AM

#10

Gotubch

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 347

Likes: 4

From: Chesapeake VA

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.

Nov 2, 2014 | 09:16 AM

#11

37pat

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 146

Likes: 1

From: Milpitas CA

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.

Nov 2, 2014 | 12:21 PM

#12

grantv

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 5,278

Likes: 539

From: Kelowna BC

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....

Nov 3, 2014 | 11:01 AM

#13

Gotubch

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 347

Likes: 4

From: Chesapeake VA

Headers

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

Nov 3, 2014 | 11:22 AM

#14

grantv

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 5,278

Likes: 539

From: Kelowna BC

Quote:

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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