exhaust headers leaking

Bruce Schoenbaechler · 09-10-2009, 03:44 AM

If they are an older set and you can't send them back , and all else has failed, you can cut the flange between tubes and they will seal. I've had to do this quite a few times to get even some custom built headers to seal.

WALZEE · 09-10-2009, 10:30 AM

throw gaskets in trash, use only small amount of ultra black high heat silicon, bolts will not come loose, they will not leak, you can take all the bolts off and header will not fall off, you should never have an issue.

greg fulk · 09-10-2009, 05:37 PM

I'll tell ya what.... on a SBC the ONLY thing we'll use is the STOCK manifold steel gaskets! steel side out! They work you can't tell me any different the engine in dad's old Camaro had 8 seasons on it & never leaked! this is what all my buddys use on their street cars with no trouble!

Michael Pliska · 09-10-2009, 05:51 PM

One thing I used to do with my V8 Vega was to use 2 gaskets stacked, and soak them in water overnight, then bolt them up and fire up the engine with them still wet. They formed a good seal that way.

Regards,

sportsfan · 09-16-2009, 05:45 PM

Thanks to everyone for their advice.Going to try the copper silicone tomorrow,what a way to spend my day off of work!

Kenny Wigington · 09-16-2009, 06:10 PM

X2 on Greg's comment. They fit the ex port good too.

novassdude · 09-17-2009, 07:52 AM

A local exhaust place here takes the headers to a machine shop has the flanges surfaced so they are flat and then puts them on with no gasket. According to them they get no come backs for leaks.

09-10-2009, 03:44 AM	#1
Bruce Schoenbaechler Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Myrtle Beach, S.C. Posts: 33 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: exhaust headers leaking If they are an older set and you can't send them back , and all else has failed, you can cut the flange between tubes and they will seal. I've had to do this quite a few times to get even some custom built headers to seal. __________________ SCHOENY

09-10-2009, 10:30 AM	#2
WALZEE Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 13 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: exhaust headers leaking throw gaskets in trash, use only small amount of ultra black high heat silicon, bolts will not come loose, they will not leak, you can take all the bolts off and header will not fall off, you should never have an issue.

09-10-2009, 05:37 PM	#3
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: exhaust headers leaking I'll tell ya what.... on a SBC the ONLY thing we'll use is the STOCK manifold steel gaskets! steel side out! They work you can't tell me any different the engine in dad's old Camaro had 8 seasons on it & never leaked! this is what all my buddys use on their street cars with no trouble! __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

09-10-2009, 05:51 PM	#4
Michael Pliska Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Happy Valley, OR Posts: 260 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: exhaust headers leaking One thing I used to do with my V8 Vega was to use 2 gaskets stacked, and soak them in water overnight, then bolt them up and fire up the engine with them still wet. They formed a good seal that way. Regards, __________________ Michael Pliska 643 S/G

09-16-2009, 05:45 PM	#5
sportsfan Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Somerville,New Jersey Posts: 34 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: exhaust headers leaking Thanks to everyone for their advice.Going to try the copper silicone tomorrow,what a way to spend my day off of work!

09-16-2009, 06:10 PM	#6
Kenny Wigington Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cumming,Ga. USA Posts: 967 Likes: 36 Liked 60 Times in 12 Posts	Re: exhaust headers leaking X2 on Greg's comment. They fit the ex port good too. __________________ 2894 STK

09-17-2009, 07:52 AM	#7
novassdude Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: usa Posts: 752 Likes: 204 Liked 136 Times in 49 Posts	Re: exhaust headers leaking A local exhaust place here takes the headers to a machine shop has the flanges surfaced so they are flat and then puts them on with no gasket. According to them they get no come backs for leaks.