header leaks driving me crazy!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
header leaks driving me crazy!
pulled the headers off when i did my H/C/I swap, installed new GM gaskets tightened every thing down now I have leaks witch I didnt have before??? by the engine it sounds like a tick but cant find exactly where and the ball flange's are leaking i tightened them up really good but didnt do a thing!
whats the best way to tackle this?
its embarrassing
whats the best way to tackle this?
its embarrassing
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
are you sure it's an exhaust leak and not valvetrain noise after adding a cam?... look for carbon deposits around the flange area and that will indicate any leaks... if you can pull them far enough away from the head you can take a straight edge and make sure the flanges are true
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
the valve train is a little noisier with the new springs (dual .650) and the 42lb injectors can clearly be herd to! i used a mechanics stethoscope all over the heads and valve cover sounds the same both sides, when I used it on the header tubes some sounded different then others but cant pinpoint the leaks? the ball cups can be herd and when i put my hand around i can feel the air escaping
tuner said the valve train sounded fine and didnt see any valve float or any thing durring the dyno tune?
tuner said the valve train sounded fine and didnt see any valve float or any thing durring the dyno tune?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville , NC
pulled the headers off when i did my H/C/I swap, installed new GM gaskets tightened every thing down now I have leaks witch I didnt have before??? by the engine it sounds like a tick but cant find exactly where and the ball flange's are leaking i tightened them up really good but didnt do a thing!
whats the best way to tackle this?
its embarrassing
whats the best way to tackle this?
its embarrassing
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I had a slight header leak and it was driving me crazy. I was going to dyno my car and wanted to make sure that there wasn't any excessive carbon in the cylinders.
I Sea Foamed the engine and injected enough to stall the engine. Let her sit over night.
When I cranked it up the next day, I noticed that BOTH gaskets for my header A.I.R. flange to A.I.R Check valve were blown and leaking. The smoke was coming out pretty evenly on both flanges from the under side of the flange. A new gasket resolved that leak.
So,, that is one way to find any exhaust leaks!
I Sea Foamed the engine and injected enough to stall the engine. Let her sit over night.
When I cranked it up the next day, I noticed that BOTH gaskets for my header A.I.R. flange to A.I.R Check valve were blown and leaking. The smoke was coming out pretty evenly on both flanges from the under side of the flange. A new gasket resolved that leak.
So,, that is one way to find any exhaust leaks!
