Exhaust leak!!

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May 9, 2009 | 10:14 PM

71'3604speed

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Joined: Feb 2009

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Exhaust leak!!

I am having one of those small problems that should be eaisy to fix, but it isn't.

I put headers on my 71' f-100 w/ 360 4speed 2 weeks ago and I just got the rest of the system on too and there is a leak on the drivers side right at the ports.

I know this should be a simple fix but I tried tightening them, loosening and then tightening, then I just put a whole new gasket on......... and it still leaks!!

I have payed close attention the the tightening patterns, What should I do?

May 9, 2009 | 10:25 PM

Danger_Dave

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 1,338

Likes: 6

From: UPSTATE NY

are you sure its coming right from the manifold area? maybe when the engine is cold in the morning start it up and spray water around there to diagnose where its coming from. and some better gaskets maybe. i know the ones that came with my hooker headers were caca.

May 10, 2009 | 05:00 AM

Red69

Tuned

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 340

Likes: 8

From: Rock Hill, SC

Withe headers you need to use a header gasket from a speed shop. Those gaskets that come in the engine gasket sets will burn out in no time with headers.

I know some of the bolts are hard to get a grip on with a standard wrench when they start to get tight. I have a set of angle head wrenches from Mack that are 60 degrees on one end and 15 degrees on the other. There are a few bolts on each side that I have to use one of these on to get them tight.

May 10, 2009 | 10:47 AM

71'3604speed

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Joined: Feb 2009

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thanks for responding

I am not having problems tightening the bolts, that is fairly easy, I also thought that the gaskets that came with the headers were bad so i replaced them and they still leak. I know it is the front cylinder on the drivers side because i popped the plug off while running and it stopped, then I put it back on and it started leaking again.

Is there someplace that I can take it?

May 10, 2009 | 11:43 AM

TigerDan

Hotshot

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 12,170

Likes: 5

From: The hills of No. Calif.

When you replaced the gasket did you look carefully at the sealing flange on the header? It's possible that it got through quality control with a defect like a blob of weld or something on the sealing surface that just needs to be ground or filed flat.

You might want to consider the embossed copper header gaskets as well:

Pro Copper Header Gaskets for Ford 390-428 FE

May 10, 2009 | 04:16 PM

BradyCouchman

Post Fiend

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 6,221

Likes: 6

From: Cow Town, CA

you can also use RTV they have some broze stuff that is good for something like 1300 degrees. i went through the same thing you are and i took them off put some rtv on the gasget and put it back on and i also put some rtv where the header bolts the the rest of the system and it solved my problem.

May 10, 2009 | 08:57 PM

orich

Lead Driver

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,592

Likes: 10

From: **** hole San Jose ca.

Have to checked the heads matting surface to see if the head was burned out and damage from a leaking manifold. This is a very common with fe motors. The only real fix it have the head manifold side shaved. I been running a set of Sanderson shorty now for the pass 3 yrs, there designed to just use high temp RTV (no gaskets) If your headers have only 1/4" header plate design they don't last to long until they warp. When using rtv wire brush clean the surface with a good cleaner like acetone first...my 2cents
orich