Copper header gasket leak
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 93
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Copper header gasket leak
:-) See that smile on my face.3 years into my project '55 and I fired my 460 for the first time yesterday.Sounds good with the 2 1/2" exhaust into the Borla's-----except for the leaks between the Sanderson headers and cylinder heads.I have the copper gaskets and I retorqued the bolts after running it for awhile but it still has leaks.Anybody have any experience with this?Suggestions?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 966
Likes: 2
From: Crooked River Ranch, OR
Copper header gasket leak
An old trick is to spray the head gaskets with aluminum paint before installing. I usually put on 2-3 coats and this will work with any head gasket material. The good thing about having copper is they are re-usable...you can take the head gaskets off, spray-them, let them dry and then re-install. Not so with other head gasket materials. Deen
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,882
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From: Nevada
Copper header gasket leak
After experiencing leaks, contant retighting and trying every gasket available, I haven't used gaskets on headers/iron heads in years. A bead of RTV Red around each port works fine with no leaks regardless of irregularities or distortion on the flange surface. Run the bead, let it set up, then install headers.
Most header gaskets, 1/8" uncompressed thickness at best, less for some copper gaskets, follow the header flange. The first header bolt you tighten begins to distort the flange. The RTV seals at each port, regardless of flange distortion.
If you really want to use gaskets, get L&L headers. They have the thickest flanges I've seen and are less prone to distortion.
Edelbrock also approved the RTV method for their aluminum heads.
Most header gaskets, 1/8" uncompressed thickness at best, less for some copper gaskets, follow the header flange. The first header bolt you tighten begins to distort the flange. The RTV seals at each port, regardless of flange distortion.
If you really want to use gaskets, get L&L headers. They have the thickest flanges I've seen and are less prone to distortion.
Edelbrock also approved the RTV method for their aluminum heads.
