Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

I hate my headers.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 10:58 AM
  #1  
Truckin4life's Avatar
Truckin4life
Thread Starter
|
Street Queen to the extr3m3
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 3
From: Lubbock, Texas
I hate my headers.

I put some hooker super comp headers on my truck....
95 250 351w

I am currently on my 3rd set up gaskets for the dang things.
The bolts absolutly will not stay tight. Ive tried blue lock tite, ive tried red lock tite. Im so tired of dealing with this crap. One of my biggest pet peeves is exhaust leaks and this things is horrible. I get it all sealed up and it runs nice for a few days then it starts again, i get that side fixed all is good for a few days then the other side starts... Im to the point now that i want to pull the whole motor. and weld that damn headers to the heads. Am i doing something wrong here, or whats the fix... If its just the nature of the beast, then im layin a bead around it, and if that dont fix it, im gunna blow it up. I am so tired of it. Everytime it starts i want to scream and lite my truck on fire.


So can you help me? What am i doing so wrong?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:10 AM
  #2  
currituckF150's Avatar
currituckF150
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
I don't know what gaskets you are using but I would use Ultra seals from Mr Gasket. Use antiseize on the bolts & check them everyday for at least a week or until you don't find them loose. Make sure the heads are clean & free of old gasket material. If that doesnt work, cut the flange between cylinders to make sure each port is tight to the head.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:11 AM
  #3  
Conanski's Avatar
Conanski
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
How well is the exhaust system behind the headers supported?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:12 AM
  #4  
Truckin4life's Avatar
Truckin4life
Thread Starter
|
Street Queen to the extr3m3
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 3
From: Lubbock, Texas
Im not worried about the bolt's seizeing, hell if they would seize that would be great. It would stop them from backing out all the time. Ill see what else comes up, but ill keep that all in mind. Thanks for the info and idea's
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:13 AM
  #5  
Truckin4life's Avatar
Truckin4life
Thread Starter
|
Street Queen to the extr3m3
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 3
From: Lubbock, Texas
Originally Posted by Conanski
How well is the exhaust system behind the headers supported?
I know it has one hanger, fairly sure it has 2.
Not 100 % on that one.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:15 AM
  #6  
currituckF150's Avatar
currituckF150
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Truckin4life
Im not worried about the bolt's seizeing, hell if they would seize that would be great. It would stop them from backing out all the time. Ill see what else comes up, but ill keep that all in mind. Thanks for the info and idea's
Antiseize is use to lubricate the threads to ensure an accurate torque on the bolts & believe it or not will work to keep the bolts from backing out.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:18 AM
  #7  
Truckin4life's Avatar
Truckin4life
Thread Starter
|
Street Queen to the extr3m3
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 3
From: Lubbock, Texas
i didnt know that, thanks for the info, learn something new everyday.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:25 AM
  #8  
Conanski's Avatar
Conanski
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally Posted by Truckin4life
I know it has one hanger, fairly sure it has 2.
Not 100 % on that one.
Right.. if the headers are carrying most of the weight of the exhaust system the bolts will never stay tight.

You may also want to check the condition of your engine mounts, if they are sacked or no longer attached to the frame the motor will move around more than it should.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:29 AM
  #9  
351slug's Avatar
351slug
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 840
Likes: 1
From: Poquoson Va.
Will these help?

Stage 8 Locking Fasteners 8913 - Stage 8 Locking Header Bolt Kits - summitracing.com
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:31 AM
  #10  
Truckin4life's Avatar
Truckin4life
Thread Starter
|
Street Queen to the extr3m3
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 3
From: Lubbock, Texas
that would be great... Ive never had problems like this before though, so im wondering if there is something else wrong...
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 02:22 PM
  #11  
bart f-350's Avatar
bart f-350
More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 532
Likes: 11
Wat we use here in europe, are just plain copper nuts with a little crimp at the crown so they will not run loose.

and besides that, everything has to be cirurgical clean and use a multielayered copper metal seal, and a little coppergrease at the studs.

hope you find a solution!

cincerely, Bart
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 02:40 PM
  #12  
Nick1911's Avatar
Nick1911
5th Wheeling
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 16
I vote that you use the twisted-wire technique used to keep aircraft blots tight on essential parts. (IE: the prop) Not sure what the technical name for that procedure is.

It's over the top, but would be awesome.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 03:11 PM
  #13  
Josh88Ford's Avatar
Josh88Ford
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
I have the same problem with my long tubes. I have true duals, X pipe and two mufflers. The exhaust is very stable, but has enough play in it. I went with Socket Head Cap Screws so I can get a better toruqe on them. Maybe try red rtv...hi temp stuff
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 03:57 PM
  #14  
Boz86's Avatar
Boz86
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: Tampa Bay, Florida
Originally Posted by Truckin4life
that would be great... Ive never had problems like this before though, so im wondering if there is something else wrong...
I have those, worked great for 5 years now.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 03:58 PM
  #15  
Boz86's Avatar
Boz86
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: Tampa Bay, Florida
Stage 8...
I have those, worked great for 5 years now.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:45 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE