Headers still leaking.....

[burrpenick]

Still leaking even after I tried adding a second gasket! The exhaust gases are coming out of the bottom of the rear and center port on the passenger side. My next ideas was to completely remove the header and inspect the gasket and header flange to see what is causing the problem. These are brand new FLOWTECH headers. They fit nice and the drivers side seems to be fine. Anything in particular that I should look for? Ideas, tips?

George

[vinb]

Make sure you don't have a broken weld and the flange is flat....

[IMNCARN82]

     If you can,loosen the header so you can "gunsight" down the mounting flange. Checking to see if it's straight when not fully tightened. Are you running studs in the front/back mounts?  I re-tighten my headers after I heat them up the first time.And check them,they like to come loose sometimes.  The small wrench that fits those header bolts  can be tough to tighten with.I usually "piggyback" two wrenches together to get more leverage. Not too tight!!!   What type of gasket you using?  I'd think one gasket would be better than two at a header. Just some thoughts.

[dodge freak 2]

Clean the head and header with brake cleaner-after checking them out-to get any oil of the surface. Use some RTV on the header gaskets both sides, it helps out. Use brand new header bolts--so they don't snap on you.

Yes you need some good small open end wenches, I like S & K, not cheap but they don't slip. I get them tight as poss but guess they could snap but they seem strong, I use Mr Gasket bolts but I never reuse them. After it runs a few mins, shut the motor off and wait 5 min for the pipes to start cooling off and re tighten the bolts.

It should seal, the RTV softens up in the heat and re tightening the bolts seals the gasket-unless the headers are warp cause they are 10 years old like mine. Still its just a silght noise.

Whats happening maybe is the gasket is blowing out as soon as the motor starts. Don't get cheap on the gaskets either. Those paper ones stink, don't even know why they make them.

[cudabob496]

Felpro makes a good gasket.  Probably a non-flat/straight header flange, unless the heads were also machined.

[hemiken]

If you have the pipe off again and have a spare head sitting around,  Bolt it on the spare and check for gaps as it may of had the plates welded on incorrectly.

[wally426ci]

in MCG this month there was a header gasket that is like 3 peices of thin metal, supposedly works great. its in the top 10 parts of 2007 section. ok here it is: Cometic Gasket (440)354-0777

[Moparal]

Flange thickness is very important for headers. I would imagine you have a bad weldeded set of headers. Never seen dbl gaskets do any good.  And for the most part causes more trouble then good.

[Oldschool]

Not sure if you are running big block or small block, but sometimes a thick copper gasket can seal those pesky header leaks.....   Here are some:


http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?Ntt=header+gasket&N=700+115+400123&Ntk=KeywordSearch

[KellysCuda aircard]

I have seen where new headers had to come off before, some times a flat file is needed to true up the face. I have always had good luck with felpro.

[Challenger6pak]

I always use 2 gaskets per side.  I use the copper RTV in between both gaskets and on the head and header surfaces.  I put it on thick and tighten everything down.  I let it sit overnight and trim off the excess before starting the car.  I have never had a problem. 

[Super Blue 72]

   Are there any issue with using 2 sets of gaskets and then not evenly or over torquing the header bolts?  Will that warp the flange then cause a leak?    Just a thought in addition to what everyone else has already mentioned...

[cudabob496]

One felpro is all thats needed if things are flat and straight. May have a high spot on the head side of the flange needs filing or grinding down. Also, the cheaper headers always have thinner flanges, and they tend to distort and leak more.

[loco340cuda]

How about these guys?

www.remflex.com

[burrpenick]

Holley/Flowtech tech line tells me that I may be able to swap this set for a new one, but I would have to return both sides. NO WAY I am going to remove the drivers side that is fine! He told me to look at the flange where it is leaking and that if it is low, I would have to build it up with a weld and then file it smooth. Thats about all I can think of, but maybe I will use the RTV sealer this time too that someone suggested. What about the Percy's metal gaskets, I've heard they do a great job of seaing.

Thanks, George