Headers wont seal
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New User
Joined: Aug 2008
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Headers wont seal
I just put a new set of hedman headers on my '93 302...The drivers side will not stop leaking....I changed gaskets got double gaskets on it now and it wont stop...They are only regular gaskets...Please Help!!!...The noise is driving me crazy!!
New User
Joined: Feb 2008
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if the surfaces are clean cleaner than clean, it does't take much on the surafce to create a leak. you could try to soak the gaskets in water for 3to 4 hrs that might work
i have used this trick on my chevelle and it worked . hope this helps good luck
kingrat427
i have used this trick on my chevelle and it worked . hope this helps good luck
kingrat427
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
This is leaking against the head or at the collector? Are the headers perfectly flat, or is there a possibility they could be warped? Any defect can cause a leak. Also some types of gaskets are more prone to leak that others. I like metal gaskets with raised edges or rims. Graphite gaskets are good for some things, but they really like to leak, they don't compress well, and they don't adapt to surface variations very well. If they have metal rims, they are much better than just regular graphite gaskets.
As for the collector end is it a flat surface or does it use a donut? If it is flat, the above applies to it. Also if it is flat, where are the flex joints. If it is a donut, those tend to seal well if the flange is perfectly round and has no serious defects. They also provide all the stress relief the system needs.
As for the collector end is it a flat surface or does it use a donut? If it is flat, the above applies to it. Also if it is flat, where are the flex joints. If it is a donut, those tend to seal well if the flange is perfectly round and has no serious defects. They also provide all the stress relief the system needs.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
My experience (fixed several sets of leaky headers installed by others) is that the leading cause is overtorquing the bolts and distorting the flange.
I personally like dead soft copper gaskets.
Try a new set of gaskets and follow torque specs EXACTLY. More is absolutely not better.
Also, make sure everything is loose so the header can float a bit so the flange can align perfectly flat to head. This includes the collector.
If they still leak, odds are the flange is warped. Remove and have it milled flat.
I personally like dead soft copper gaskets.
Try a new set of gaskets and follow torque specs EXACTLY. More is absolutely not better.
Also, make sure everything is loose so the header can float a bit so the flange can align perfectly flat to head. This includes the collector.
If they still leak, odds are the flange is warped. Remove and have it milled flat.
