Header leak on 5.4
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Header leak on 5.4
Hello all, I have a 99 F-150 4WD with a 5.4 Triton. It has shorty headers with Lightnin exhaust. For some reason the gasket on the right side keeps burning out. I was wandering if aluminum gaskets or copper would be the answer to my problem. Does anyone have any personal experience with this problem.
Thanks for your help,
fyrfytr4lyf
Thanks for your help,
fyrfytr4lyf
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From: Asheville,NC
We doubled the gaskets the last time and it still burned out. This will be the fourth attempt to fix it. Unfortunately the headers were on the truck when I got it, so that kills the warranty idea. I heard that the aluminum gaskets will form to the flange better, so I guess we will give them a go. I will let yall know if it works when the gaskets get here and I have half a day with no honey do's.........fyrfytr4lyf
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From: Louisville,Ky.
I put a set of the Felpro Copper gaskets on a 68 Camaro with a 427 and 2" tubed headers and they seemed to seal pretty good.
You may pull the header and have a machine shop make sure that the flange is flat and possibly mill it flat if needed.
You may pull the header and have a machine shop make sure that the flange is flat and possibly mill it flat if needed.
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I think I will take the one header to the shop. Hopefully it won't be anything major. I have noticed that the flange in between the pipes has been cut out, apparently in an attempt to get a better seal. Anyway wish me luck, I may need it.
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Well it it is done.
OK, here is how it went. I had to replace the IAC on Sunday morning, that cured the idle problem that had just started last week. I got up the nerve that afternoon to tear into the header leak. After a few busted knuckles 
and some rather fowl language 
I had the header off and in my hands. I saw rite away that the gasket had been leaking in several places. I then looked into the end of the header and could see daylight in more than one place, one tube was cracked about 3/4 of the way around. I sat back, had a cold Mt. Dew and pondered my options. After making about 6 phone calls to various parts stores in town, it was going to be a week before I could even get a replacement. I got up this morning and called the Ford Dealer, and they had both manifolds, sssssssssooooooo, I went and picked them up and they are on. As for the aluminum gaskets, they worked like a charm, I have driven the truck around town and on the interstate, and so far so good. I have done some research and learned that I only lost about 5 horse power, so be it, I don't sound like a sewing machine going down the road anymore.........WHEW.................
fyrfytr4lyf
and some rather fowl language I had the header off and in my hands. I saw rite away that the gasket had been leaking in several places. I then looked into the end of the header and could see daylight in more than one place, one tube was cracked about 3/4 of the way around. I sat back, had a cold Mt. Dew and pondered my options. After making about 6 phone calls to various parts stores in town, it was going to be a week before I could even get a replacement. I got up this morning and called the Ford Dealer, and they had both manifolds, sssssssssooooooo, I went and picked them up and they are on. As for the aluminum gaskets, they worked like a charm, I have driven the truck around town and on the interstate, and so far so good. I have done some research and learned that I only lost about 5 horse power, so be it, I don't sound like a sewing machine going down the road anymore.........WHEW................. fyrfytr4lyf
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I think they may have been pacesetters or something really cheap. The price for the right side was $100 and the left side was $90. The guy at the stealership gave me a pretty good deal. It's nice to have friends in important places.
fyrfytr4lyf
fyrfytr4lyf
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