Problems with headers leaking?
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Problems with headers leaking?
As the title states my dam headers keep leaking. I put a new gasket on the passanger side head and after 3 weeks its leakign again! Its a 95 f250 5.8l with ford motorsport headers. I dotn no what to try next. Anyoen else have this problem?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: right here in michigan
i don't have that particular application ,but it's not uncommon with headers.most likely the flanges are warped a little causing the gasket to start leaking .what brand gaskets are u using?don't use the cheap paper ones.i use victor nitroseals.they are graphite around a steel core.
you can try double gasketing to seal it up.can also take header off and take it to a engine machine shop and have them run flange on the head surfacer to true it up.
i usually just double gasket them and it takes care of it for me.
are you re-tightening the flange bolts after headers are heated up the first time after new gaskets are put on?this needs to be done.i check mine every oil change after that.
you can try double gasketing to seal it up.can also take header off and take it to a engine machine shop and have them run flange on the head surfacer to true it up.
i usually just double gasket them and it takes care of it for me.
are you re-tightening the flange bolts after headers are heated up the first time after new gaskets are put on?this needs to be done.i check mine every oil change after that.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
If the flange is less then 5/8" they can warp easily. You can have the flange machined, but that makes them thinner. I like SCE copper gaskets, but everyone has a prefference. After about 3 heat cycles the bolts should stay torqued, but you should check it often.
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the headers where on the truck when i bought it. they are ford motorsports. It was a blowin gasket so i got a new one (oem). 
and when i went to put it on i noticed all the bolts were loose. So i put the new gasket on and a week later maybe 200 miles later its leakin again and all the bolts are loose. I re tightend then all and just yeaterday maybe 100 miles late they were loose again! Where can i get these better gaskets you gouys are talking about? Also is there some type of thread lock i can use? i am sure i should not use locktite they might never coem off. Is there a place i can get new bolts? 
thanks agian for all the replies
and when i went to put it on i noticed all the bolts were loose. So i put the new gasket on and a week later maybe 200 miles later its leakin again and all the bolts are loose. I re tightend then all and just yeaterday maybe 100 miles late they were loose again! Where can i get these better gaskets you gouys are talking about? Also is there some type of thread lock i can use? i am sure i should not use locktite they might never coem off. Is there a place i can get new bolts? thanks agian for all the replies
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From: right here in michigan
if your exhaust isn't supported well and it's wiggling around when driving truck this will put pressure on the headers making the bolts loosen up.i'd check the hangers to see if you have one broken.also oem gaskets are most likely for a cast manifold and won't work well for headers.
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