Leaking Collector Solution

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May 4, 2019 | 01:52 PM

F-250 restorer

Thread Starter

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Joined: Mar 2008

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From: Near Los Angeles

Leaking Collector Solution

I installed headers and have tried copper, aluminum, traditional gaskets, as well as gaskets with permatex, but can't keep the collectors sealed. I was about to try to weld a piece of exhaust pipe inside the collector that would insert into the opposing side 1/2" to seal when bolted up. Then I googles the issue, and found that a guy recommended using an exhaust donut just smaller than the ID of the collector, and beveled on either side. So I hit Autozone and got two and am about to try them. $22.00 for the pair. Hopefully this will work and help others reading this too. I like that the donuts I got have a 1/2" metal lip that inserts into the collector on one side. Just like my idea.

May 4, 2019 | 06:45 PM

hivoltj

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2010

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From: Billings, MT

Cut off the 3 bolt collector ring and small flange. Weld on a piece of pipe to your exhaust that slip fits the collector tightly, cut a couple slots in it and use an accuseal clamp.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...hoCHXgQAvD_BwE

May 5, 2019 | 09:42 AM

F-250 restorer

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From: Near Los Angeles

Quote:

Originally Posted by hivoltj

That is an interesting solution, but it is my experience that clamps like that have leaked for me. I was thinking of using these new joints, called Header Buddies: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...RoC8uoQAvD_BwE Now I am going to try the donuts I got, and hopefully those will seal it up for many years. If not, well, I will most likely cut off the flange and weld on the header buddies.

May 5, 2019 | 10:01 AM

HIO Silver

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2009

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From: NorCal

If the collector and its mate are misaligned, those sintered metal doughnuts will crack.

FYI.

May 5, 2019 | 02:42 PM

meangreen92

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jul 2005

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Or you could have ball and flange-style ends welded on, like what's on Fox Body 5.0 Mustangs.

May 5, 2019 | 08:56 PM

RalphXL

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Joined: Nov 2015

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V-band flange for the best solution. You can find them reasonable affordable on Ebay.

Jess

May 6, 2019 | 10:24 AM

F-250 restorer

Thread Starter

Lead Driver

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 7,188

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From: Near Los Angeles

Quote:

Originally Posted by RalphXL

V-band flange for the best solution. You can find them reasonable affordable on Ebay.

Jess

Those do look like a quality way to do connect the collector to the exhaust. But I am running an inline six. To weld those on means welding on the collector end and the exhaust beginning pipe. To do that I'd have to remove the header. On an inline six that means removing the intake as well, and that is a major project and cost. I think that using the Header Buddy system would be a quality connection, and would only require welding on the exhaust pipe side. That section of the pipe is easy to remove and re-install. Also, the Header buddy parts will only cost me about $40. That makes me happy.

Header Buddies: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...EaAqwqEALw_wcB Or, ....
HeaderBuddy.com