Headers still leaking.....

[wally426ci]

i heard that you can cut the flange between the ports so it mates up individually

[burrpenick]

I contemplated this cutting of the flange between the ports......Mine is leaking on the passenger side rear (#8) and the next one up (#6).  The front 2 ports (#4 and 2) seem to be fine. Does this issues sound like cutting the flange between the cylinders would help? I still have not removed the header to inspect the face of the tubes in question, but will soon.

Thanks, George

[burrpenick]

What about this cutting the flange?

[dodge freak 2]

Why? Did you try the RTV and metal gaskets? That very well may do it.

Once you cut the flange, the headers can bend much easier when they are unbolted. That be a last resort, once all else fails. Still might not solve the problem.

I tend to believe the gasket blew out very fast. Its not that bad to unbolt them. Spray brake cleaner on the head and headers. Take a single edge razor blade and clean both sides. Get a new good gasket, Fel-Pro or those metal type. Put a bead of RTV on both sides of the gasket and tighten them back up-again I like to use new bolts.

I start the motor right after for 20-30 seconds, just to get some heat on it and re tighten the bolts.

It may be much much better. My 10 year old headers have a tapping sound that goes away once the hoods close-at least I can't hear it.

[hemiken]

You could always try useing a set of feeler gauges to see if their is a gap under the pipes when bolted up to the head...................... Or a Dental or adjustable mirror with a flash light would see the problem area.

[LAA66]

  Sounds like there is some warp going on if the rear ports are the only ones leaking. However I wouldn't cut the flange until all else fails also. You could inspect the gasket to find the areas leaking then file the opposite "high" side to balance the face. 

 Are you tightening the headers at the ports prior to connecting to the rest of the exhaust system? Seems unlikely but if there is a miss-alignment the stress may not let them sit parallel to the head.

[ntstlgl1970]

You could always try useing a set of feeler gauges to see if their is a gap under the pipes when bolted up to the head...................... Or a Dental or adjustable mirror with a flash light would see the problem area.

You could also try this with no gasket, maybe the header flange is hitting something and not allowing the flange to seat correctly. had a problem like this on a set of hookers. The flange hit the area of the head that "flares out" abor the ports to become the valve cover gasket area on a 440. I ground a 45 degree angle on that area of the header flange and it took care of it.

[wally426ci]

i cut the flange on my driver side, but it didnt change a thing. im opting to buy TTI's this spring, it may be one of the plugged air ports, i have later model heads.

Sorry George, im not sure if it will stress the headers out, when i cut them though, there was not a bud difference on where the rested. so, i would conclude that they were not all that stressed out.

 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Why? Did you try the RTV and metal gaskets? That very well may do it.

Once you cut the flange, the headers can bend much easier when they are unbolted. That be a last resort, once all else fails. Still might not solve the problem.

I tend to believe the gasket blew out very fast. Its not that bad to unbolt them. Spray brake cleaner on the head and headers. Take a single edge razor blade and clean both sides. Get a new good gasket, Fel-Pro or those metal type. Put a bead of RTV on both sides of the gasket and tighten them back up-again I like to use new bolts.

I start the motor right after for 20-30 seconds, just to get some heat on it and re tighten the bolts.

It may be much much better. My 10 year old headers have a tapping sound that goes away once the hoods close-at least I can't hear it.

RTV Ultra Red supposedly good to 750 degrees!!