header flange leak
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Joined: Oct 2001
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header flange leak
I have a '89 with a 351 that one of the stock exhaust manifolds crack in half.Instead of replacing it with a stock part, I installed a set of shorty headers.At first they worked fine, but then started to leak at the collector cone/exhaust pipe flange.
Is there a flange gasket available to go between the header and exhaust pipe, or am I doomed to re-adjusting the collector/exhaust alignment every weekend?
Is there a flange gasket available to go between the header and exhaust pipe, or am I doomed to re-adjusting the collector/exhaust alignment every weekend?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
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From: Loveland, CO.
header flange leak
In my experience you are doomed to adjusting it all the time. I tried everything on a previous F100 with headers, metal gaskets, loctite, all kinds of lock washers, and it still leaked all the time. My next step, if I had not sold the truck, was to eliminate the connection and have the headers welded to the pipes. I don't see why this would be bad unless you need to pull the engine, and would certainly eliminate the problem for good. Even if you needed to pull the engine, you would just cut the connection and then reweld it after you put the engine back in.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,882
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From: Nevada
header flange leak
Anybody with headers has experienced exhaust leaks at the collector cone/exhaust pipe flange connection. Unless, as JBronco said, they're welded together. I've found what normally happens, other than rust, is one of two problems:
Most common is that the cone isn't properly lined up with the collector plate/exhaust flange. It always seems to be a slight hassle to get the gasket in while both ends are lined up and start the bolts. I know I've been in a hurry and eventually hear the leak start as the exhaust burned through the gasket at the misalignment. It has to be right on the button. If not, you won't get a decent seal even with copper gaskets.
The flange 'ears' where the bolts pass through have been tightened down to where they no longer provide adequate tension on the joint. There may be space between the flange and the collector plate, but you've actually bent them to a point of travel where the bolts pull the ears but the tension doesn't extend to the flange body.
Headers can be a pain, but few automotive sounds equal the crackle of headers with a decent cam. The added power is just a bonus.
Most common is that the cone isn't properly lined up with the collector plate/exhaust flange. It always seems to be a slight hassle to get the gasket in while both ends are lined up and start the bolts. I know I've been in a hurry and eventually hear the leak start as the exhaust burned through the gasket at the misalignment. It has to be right on the button. If not, you won't get a decent seal even with copper gaskets.
The flange 'ears' where the bolts pass through have been tightened down to where they no longer provide adequate tension on the joint. There may be space between the flange and the collector plate, but you've actually bent them to a point of travel where the bolts pull the ears but the tension doesn't extend to the flange body.
Headers can be a pain, but few automotive sounds equal the crackle of headers with a decent cam. The added power is just a bonus.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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header flange leak
I just put a set of gibson shorties on my 351 and have not had a problem yet. It was hard to get the pipes lined up but once their in place they should stay in place. Headers were the best tthing i have done yet.
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Joined: Oct 2001
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header flange leak
I haven't done any exhaust work on my Bronco yet, but on my '88 F-150, I installed a set of Hooker Headers, and had the same problem with the collector initially. After talking with some other truck owners, I tried a suggestion of using two gaskets at the same time, and it actually worked. It worked for a year, then I sold the truck, but they weren't having any problems. I believe I used the heavier metallic type gasket rather than the paper/cardboard gaskets you usually find everywhere.
Aaron D.
Aaron D.
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