header leaks
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: salmon idaho
header leaks
hi . doe's anyone out there have a cure for header leaks ? mine are leaking where they atach to the heads .
also doe's anyone have proper torque specks for headers ? thank's .
also doe's anyone have proper torque specks for headers ? thank's .
Last edited by my48willies; Jan 16, 2005 at 11:25 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
Sometimes it's the header itself, sometimes it's the gasket or head. The set I put on my '67 are great on their second year. I used the generic gaskets that come with headers.
The big thing is torquing in sequence. I usually get them all started, then starting in center work my way around in a circle(just like doing a cyl. head). That way you work any wrinkles out and it pulls down nice and tight/straight.
How tight?? I usually pull it tight with a box wrench and call it a day. No way to really use a torque wrench and with a small box wrench you will never over do it, or break a header bolt. Just a firm pull and recheck after you run motor up to temp.
The big thing is torquing in sequence. I usually get them all started, then starting in center work my way around in a circle(just like doing a cyl. head). That way you work any wrinkles out and it pulls down nice and tight/straight.
How tight?? I usually pull it tight with a box wrench and call it a day. No way to really use a torque wrench and with a small box wrench you will never over do it, or break a header bolt. Just a firm pull and recheck after you run motor up to temp.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Turlock CA
48willies
My brother owns his own shop and gave me a great trick to installing header gaskets.
Soak the gaskets in water for 20 minutes prior to installation. Than just torque like Frieghtrain recomended and you should be in good shape. I used this method on mine and they sealed up nicely.
Good luck
jd
My brother owns his own shop and gave me a great trick to installing header gaskets.
Soak the gaskets in water for 20 minutes prior to installation. Than just torque like Frieghtrain recomended and you should be in good shape. I used this method on mine and they sealed up nicely.
Good luck
jd
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Joined: Jan 2005
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I had these header issues and I solved them to my satisfaction in my own way, That is not to say that there is not other or better ways to do it.
In the first place most headers come with what the manufacturers call "bite areas" around the ports on the flange that don't match very well with the gaskets. Also as you re-torque they tend to bend the flange and open the seal.
These "bite areas are only the result of the manufacturng process and are created when they put those pipes in the flange. They weld them on the head side and shave them off.
What I did was weld a bead around the outside of each primary pipe to flange joint, take the headers to the machine shop, and have the bite areas shaved off so that the flange was flat and smooth. This gives you a large manifold like sealing area. You can use a manifold gasket. I used one of those metal sandwhich types.
Means lower torque, which is good especially with aluminum heads.
This was only one issue I had with the headers and how I solved it. I know there are different ways to do things and hope this helps someone.
In the first place most headers come with what the manufacturers call "bite areas" around the ports on the flange that don't match very well with the gaskets. Also as you re-torque they tend to bend the flange and open the seal.
These "bite areas are only the result of the manufacturng process and are created when they put those pipes in the flange. They weld them on the head side and shave them off.
What I did was weld a bead around the outside of each primary pipe to flange joint, take the headers to the machine shop, and have the bite areas shaved off so that the flange was flat and smooth. This gives you a large manifold like sealing area. You can use a manifold gasket. I used one of those metal sandwhich types.
Means lower torque, which is good especially with aluminum heads.
This was only one issue I had with the headers and how I solved it. I know there are different ways to do things and hope this helps someone.
