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    #1

    Header Leak

    So i tried to eliminate my header leak by taking them off, cleaning the heads exhaust port area better, and put New BBK header gaskets on that i had lying around. Originally I had Mr. Gasket Ultraseals and there was a tiny leak. Now it's a BIG leak and sounds TERRIBLE. Everything is tight and it is definitively coming from the headers....

    I was considering getting either one of the copper exh header gaskets, aluminum, or doubling up the current gaskets. Thoughts??
    Last edited by Brown_Muscle; 01-24-2012, 06:49 PM.
    -Phil

    sigpic

    +1982 Ford LTD-S Police Car. Built 351w, Trickflow 11R 190 Heads, Holley Sniper EFI, RPM Intake+ Hyperspark dizzy, WR-AOD, Full exhaust headers to tails. 3.27 Trac-Lok Rear. Aluminum Police Driveshaft. Speedway Springs+Bilstein Shocks, Intermediate Brakes, HPP Steering Box.

    +2003 Acura CL Type S 6-speed
    Tags: no quality control
    #2
    I read that these: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PHP-66014/ by Percy's are really good

    http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-111430/


    http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-7160A/



    And these are REALLY expensive... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BI...3FLT/?rtype=10

    I don't have much experience in this area and i'm hoping someone can chime in who knows a little bit more about header leaks than i do haha
    Last edited by Brown_Muscle; 01-24-2012, 06:58 PM.
    -Phil

    sigpic

    +1982 Ford LTD-S Police Car. Built 351w, Trickflow 11R 190 Heads, Holley Sniper EFI, RPM Intake+ Hyperspark dizzy, WR-AOD, Full exhaust headers to tails. 3.27 Trac-Lok Rear. Aluminum Police Driveshaft. Speedway Springs+Bilstein Shocks, Intermediate Brakes, HPP Steering Box.

    +2003 Acura CL Type S 6-speed

    Comment

      #3
      do the gasket cutouts match the ports on the header flange? Meaning rectangle cutouts in the gaskets with rectangular header flanges? I found out the hard way that you cannot use gaskets with oval cutouts on rectangular header flanges. It leaks like an SOB.

      Also, are the header flanges flat and straight? they should seal up with conventional gaskets if they are. I've used regular old FelPro cheapo exhaust manifold gaskets in the past with headers that were properly flat. If they're warped, no amount of special bs gasket will make it not leak. I used to have gaskets blow on mine every few months until I had them milled flat. They haven't been touched in at least 2 years now. I think I'm using the Mr Gasket black gaskets currently, not sure if those are the Ultraseals or not.
      86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
      5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

      91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

      1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

      Originally posted by phayzer5
      I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

      Everything looks like voodoo if you don't understand how it works

      Comment

        #4
        They were the rectangular ports, and seemed to match up well. I did not take a straight edge to either of them...i would hope they aren't warped as they are brand new. With the better gaskets on the leak was barely perceivable, I think i am going to go with these: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PHP-66014/ Since they are also reusable.

        Looking at the gaskets i took off, they appear to be uniformly squished as far as i can tell. If there is any warpage it doesn't appear on the gaskets.
        Last edited by Brown_Muscle; 01-24-2012, 07:35 PM.
        -Phil

        sigpic

        +1982 Ford LTD-S Police Car. Built 351w, Trickflow 11R 190 Heads, Holley Sniper EFI, RPM Intake+ Hyperspark dizzy, WR-AOD, Full exhaust headers to tails. 3.27 Trac-Lok Rear. Aluminum Police Driveshaft. Speedway Springs+Bilstein Shocks, Intermediate Brakes, HPP Steering Box.

        +2003 Acura CL Type S 6-speed

        Comment

          #5
          How are you tightening the bolts? Pattern? Tightness/torque?

          85 4 door 351 Civi Crown Victoria - Summer daily driver, sleeper in the making, and wildly inappropriate autocross machine
          160KMs 600cfm holley, shorty headers, 2.5" catted exhaust, 255/295 tires, cop shocks, cop swaybars, underdrive pulley, 2.73L gears.
          waiting for install: 3.27's, Poly bushings, boxed rear arms, 2500 stall converter, ported e7's, etc

          06 Mazda 3 hatch 2.3L 5AT (winter beater that cost more than my summer car)

          Comment

            #6
            Middle to the outside. I can't really use a torque wrench for half of them so the torque is unknown, but i get the pretty snug, i havn't had any of them back out or loosen either.
            -Phil

            sigpic

            +1982 Ford LTD-S Police Car. Built 351w, Trickflow 11R 190 Heads, Holley Sniper EFI, RPM Intake+ Hyperspark dizzy, WR-AOD, Full exhaust headers to tails. 3.27 Trac-Lok Rear. Aluminum Police Driveshaft. Speedway Springs+Bilstein Shocks, Intermediate Brakes, HPP Steering Box.

            +2003 Acura CL Type S 6-speed

            Comment

              #7
              If you overtighten them, you will warp the flange, despite its thickness.

              You can laugh, but I used high temp RTV on Mopar manifold gaskets on my truck, and it has always been silent. I applied it neatly, both sides of the gasket, and had the cylinder head and header flange sterile before assembly.

              I waited a while after it was assembled to run the truck.
              **2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: 5.0/ 6 spd/ 3.73s, 20K Cruiser
              **2006 MGM,"Ultimate": 4.6/ 2.73/ Dark Tint, Magnaflows, 19s, 115K Daily Driver
              **2012 Harley Davidson Wide Glide (FXDWG):103/ Cobra Speedsters/ Cosmetics, 9K Poseur HD Rider
              **1976 Ford F-150 4WD: 360, 4 spd, 3.50s, factory A/C, 4" lift, Bilsteins, US Indy Mags, 35s Truck Duties

              Comment

                #8
                I use Permatex high-temp Ultra Copper Seal on both sides of the gaskets. Did this on all of the headers that I have installed over the years without incident. Though my Pacesetters that I got on Putter Project are leaking through a pinhole, but that's a different problem.


                Packman

                Comment

                  #9
                  Interesting, i've heard mixed results with the RTV, It's held up for a decent amount of time for both of you? The gaskets i ordered are THICK and very crushable, so i'll try them by themselves first (they got awesome reviews over many different forums when i did some research), if that doesn't work...ill try the RTV, hopefully the headers aren't warped, having them milled flat is a last resort option currently.
                  -Phil

                  sigpic

                  +1982 Ford LTD-S Police Car. Built 351w, Trickflow 11R 190 Heads, Holley Sniper EFI, RPM Intake+ Hyperspark dizzy, WR-AOD, Full exhaust headers to tails. 3.27 Trac-Lok Rear. Aluminum Police Driveshaft. Speedway Springs+Bilstein Shocks, Intermediate Brakes, HPP Steering Box.

                  +2003 Acura CL Type S 6-speed

                  Comment

                    #10
                    are you tightening the header bolts after the engine is warmed up? and i mean tight!!!

                    1986 lincoln towncar signature series. 5.0 HO with thumper performance ported e7 heads, 1.7 roller rockers, warm air intake, 65mm throttle body, 1/2" intake spacer, ported intakes, 3.73 rear with trac lock, 98-02 front brake conversion, 92-97 rear disc conversion, 1" rear swaybar, 1 3/16" front swaybar, 16" wheels and tires, loud ass stereo system, badass cb, best time to date 15.94 at 87 mph. lots of mods in the works 221.8 rwhp 278 rwt
                    2006 Lincoln Town Car Signature. Stock for now
                    1989 Ford F-250 4x4 much much more to come, sefi converted so far.
                    1986 Toyota pickup with LSC wheels and 225/60/16 tires.
                    2008 Hyundai Elantra future Revcon toad
                    1987 TriBurner and 1986 Alaska stokers keeping me warm. (and some pesky oil heat)

                    please be patient, rebuilding an empire!

                    Comment

                      #11
                      The oldest headers that I'm running right now are the CV headers. I have had no issues with them using Permatex. And yes, Scott is right. Ya gotta tighten the crap outta them. The nicest headers I had were the Doug Thorley tri-Y's that I had on the Malibu. They came with really thick header gaskets. I had to tighten the bolts quite often after installation and even when a lot of them were loose, I never heard any leaks.


                      Packman

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Made a huge difference on mine. I have the same cheap ass headers.
                        1989 Grand Marquis LS
                        flat black, 650 double pumper, random cam, hei, stealth intake, Police front springs, Wagon rear, Police rear bar, wagon front ,exploder wheels, 205/60-15 fronts 275/60-15 rears, 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" offroad x pipe, Eclipse front bucket seats, Custom floor shifter, 4.10 gears, aluminum driveshaft and daily driven. 16.77@83mph

                        Comment

                          #13
                          my cheap headers used to be a problem, had to tighten the hell out of them, and re-do it once in a while. Had them milled flat, haven't touched it in years. Not crazy tight either, and no bolts working themselves loose anymore either.
                          86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                          5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                          91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                          1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                          Originally posted by phayzer5
                          I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                          Everything looks like voodoo if you don't understand how it works

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Well after trying the RTV, and still having a leak, i took the headers off completely. Both are warped a little...It has been a few months but i contacted summit anyway to see if i can get an exchange *crosses fingers*

                            If not I will try to find a machine shop that will mill them for cheap...Thain where did you get yours done and how much did it cost, if you can recall?
                            -Phil

                            sigpic

                            +1982 Ford LTD-S Police Car. Built 351w, Trickflow 11R 190 Heads, Holley Sniper EFI, RPM Intake+ Hyperspark dizzy, WR-AOD, Full exhaust headers to tails. 3.27 Trac-Lok Rear. Aluminum Police Driveshaft. Speedway Springs+Bilstein Shocks, Intermediate Brakes, HPP Steering Box.

                            +2003 Acura CL Type S 6-speed

                            Comment

                              #15
                              I had them done at the place that was doing the machine work on my engine. He's since closed up. I think he charged me $30 or something to fix them.
                              86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                              5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                              91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                              1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                              Originally posted by phayzer5
                              I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                              Everything looks like voodoo if you don't understand how it works

                              Comment

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