460 Headers Keep Leaking
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Atlantic, IA
460 Headers Keep Leaking
Hi All -
I've got a 1978 F350 Super Cab Ranger XLT. It's 2x4 with a 460 and a C-6.
My drivers side Header seems to start leaking at about 7,000 miles. But now, I've put on a new gasket, and I can't get it to stop leaking (or "making noise").
When you let off the gas you can tell fresh air is getting in, and burning.
Whoever put the headers on acutally welded them up to the exhaust and did away with the collectors...
I replaced the gasket in Feb. I had had the truck about 14 months. Put on a new one, and drove it for about 7-8,000 miles. I went on a long road trip in April and shortly after returning it started making noise again.
Since then, I put another gasket on it, and it didn't seem to last long. Now, I've put another gasket on it (about two weeks ago) and I can't seem to get it tight enough.
There are three bolts I can't get a socket on. So an open end wrench is all I can get on it.
I'm begining to wonder if the flange is warped, and I won't be able to stop it from leaking.
I've had lots of folks say put two gaskets on it. And other say no...
I'm looking for any suggestions. I've never had a vehicle before with headers on it.
Had the truck almost two years now, and never had a problem with the passenger side gasket...
Help!
Thanks,
-Chris
I've got a 1978 F350 Super Cab Ranger XLT. It's 2x4 with a 460 and a C-6.
My drivers side Header seems to start leaking at about 7,000 miles. But now, I've put on a new gasket, and I can't get it to stop leaking (or "making noise").
When you let off the gas you can tell fresh air is getting in, and burning.
Whoever put the headers on acutally welded them up to the exhaust and did away with the collectors...
I replaced the gasket in Feb. I had had the truck about 14 months. Put on a new one, and drove it for about 7-8,000 miles. I went on a long road trip in April and shortly after returning it started making noise again.
Since then, I put another gasket on it, and it didn't seem to last long. Now, I've put another gasket on it (about two weeks ago) and I can't seem to get it tight enough.
There are three bolts I can't get a socket on. So an open end wrench is all I can get on it.
I'm begining to wonder if the flange is warped, and I won't be able to stop it from leaking.
I've had lots of folks say put two gaskets on it. And other say no...
I'm looking for any suggestions. I've never had a vehicle before with headers on it.
Had the truck almost two years now, and never had a problem with the passenger side gasket...
Help!
Thanks,
-Chris
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
headers
The previous owner may have just put a cheap set of headers on it and you may never cure it. I put a cheap set on a 460 I had and they never made it past 10k miles. I put on a good pair with a lot thicker flanges and then never had a problem again. When it comes to headers, you get what you pair for a lot of the time.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 431
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From: Midwest
Use high temp rtv on both sides of the new gaskets. Put a nice bead all the way around and let it setup for about 20 mins to half an hour. You want the rtv to still be pliable but not wet. Put gaskets on, Install bolts to proper torque and let truck sit for a couple of hours before starting to let the rtv finish setting up. This should cure any leak problems. I use this trick all the time on Pontiac engines that have the middle exhaust ports siamesed and are impossible to get to seal otherwise.
T. Roberts
UFD Local 1147
T. Roberts
UFD Local 1147
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