headers to seal
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
headers to seal
Hello, just wondering if any of you had any tips on sealing headers. from what i can see the flanges aren't bent, I cant take them out without cutting them off or taking my motor mounts off so it is hard to tell. Iv tried bubbling the gaskets but iv gone through about 4 sets of header manifold gaskets, and two collector gaskets and still have a bad leak. Any ideas?
Any help/info would be much apreshated,
jack
Any help/info would be much apreshated,
jack
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
My '69 has leaked for 20yrs LOL!! I tried the copper gaskets as they were suppose to conform better and not burn out. Yup, still ticks in a few places.
Lay a straight edge across the head and make sure nothing is hurt there. Then the header flange? I usually try to snug all the bolts, then pull the lower ones tight as possible. Then go to the top ones, still trying to work from the middle OUT!
Starting on the bottom ones, then going to the top allows you to pull them tighter. Kinda like wedging the gasket. Since it's hard to get to the lower holes, it's hard to tighten them as much as the top ones. Working from the center towards the outside will help pull the flange flat. If you work towards the middle, it will not pull down as well.
Not that it's perfect, but that is how I've done mine. Though my headers are 24 yrs old, I'm sure that is more the reason why they leak!
Lay a straight edge across the head and make sure nothing is hurt there. Then the header flange? I usually try to snug all the bolts, then pull the lower ones tight as possible. Then go to the top ones, still trying to work from the middle OUT!
Starting on the bottom ones, then going to the top allows you to pull them tighter. Kinda like wedging the gasket. Since it's hard to get to the lower holes, it's hard to tighten them as much as the top ones. Working from the center towards the outside will help pull the flange flat. If you work towards the middle, it will not pull down as well.
Not that it's perfect, but that is how I've done mine. Though my headers are 24 yrs old, I'm sure that is more the reason why they leak!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 60
From: Hemet ca.
I don't remember what the torque was on either engine, but I did not exceed the torque specs.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
I had a 70 gmc with headers years back. They leaked like crazy.
A friend had me buy two sets of the cheap header gaskets and soak them overnight in water. He then had me double the gaskets up and install them to the motor. I tightened them up and ran the engine until the gaskets were dry. I re tightened, and never leaked again.
A friend had me buy two sets of the cheap header gaskets and soak them overnight in water. He then had me double the gaskets up and install them to the motor. I tightened them up and ran the engine until the gaskets were dry. I re tightened, and never leaked again.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 3
From: Ontario Canada
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tygerrrr
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
8
Feb 26, 2013 09:29 AM
