Rerouting a header collector
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
Likes: 385
From: Near Los Angeles
Rerouting a header collector
Hey guys. I just finished building a custom exhaust set up. I run a hp 300/4.9 inline six, so both collectors for the header(s) dump on the passenger side of the engine. What I found is that getting the collector flanges to seal is a bear. I can't get a seal. I've tried the aluminum gaskets, Remflex, copper, and single and multiple material gaskets. I can't get a seal.
I want to install a Walker ball and socket set on the header, but space is tight. I have angles right at the flange to clear frame and motor mount. Here is what I want to install: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wlk-41723
Here you can see the angles needed at the collector flanges: Attachment 278123
Any suggestions?
I want to install a Walker ball and socket set on the header, but space is tight. I have angles right at the flange to clear frame and motor mount. Here is what I want to install: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wlk-41723
Here you can see the angles needed at the collector flanges: Attachment 278123
Any suggestions?
Grumpy goat
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,059
Likes: 597
I used aluminum gaskets w/ copper RTV on both sides. They sealed up but I'm with you, ball & sockets are much better. The next time I have occasion to remove my headers, I'll cut off the flange and weld on ball & socket.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
Likes: 385
From: Near Los Angeles
Have you tried the gaskets WITH a thin coat of high temp RTV on both sides and a through set time?
https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-8187.../dp/B0002UEOPA
https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-8187.../dp/B0002UEOPA
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
Are both mating flanges relatively flat? Is the exhaust system mounted tightly? Any movement in the exhaust system is going to act like a big lever twisting at those joints. When I lost my rear exhaust mount on my old Camaro, the header flange gasket was leaking in a couple days from that swinging pipe. I'd bolt them up without attaching the rest of the exhaust then add a tie bar to connect both headpipes somewhere under the flanges and I'd add another solid mount to the block there to take some pressure off them. Maybe even a short piece of flex pipe between them and the rest of the exhaust to isolate any movement. If they stay tight and don't move around they should stay sealed.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
Likes: 385
From: Near Los Angeles
Are both mating flanges relatively flat? Is the exhaust system mounted tightly? Any movement in the exhaust system is going to act like a big lever twisting at those joints. When I lost my rear exhaust mount on my old Camaro, the header flange gasket was leaking in a couple days from that swinging pipe. I'd bolt them up without attaching the rest of the exhaust then add a tie bar to connect both headpipes somewhere under the flanges and I'd add another solid mount to the block there to take some pressure off them. Maybe even a short piece of flex pipe between them and the rest of the exhaust to isolate any movement. If they stay tight and don't move around they should stay sealed.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
Likes: 385
From: Near Los Angeles
The collectors sealed this time around. I believe the problem of not sealing on the previous pipes was caused by bolting the collectors together with bolts smaller in diameter than the holes allowed. That meant that the collectors, during the tacking together a system and aligning it all, may have moved, or get misaligned. This time, however, I made sure to eliminate that possibility by using the proper bolts. What a pleasure to start the truck and hear a subdued exhaust sound w/o that tick tick of a leak. Thanks, guys.
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