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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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cant get header to h-pipe to seal on pass side

  • Thread starter Thread starter rockyracoon
  • Start date Start date Mar 24, 2012
R

rockyracoon

10 Year Member
Nov 23, 2005
874
27
49
margate NJ
Mar 24, 2012
#1
  • Mar 24, 2012
  • #1
No matter how thght I make the nuts it just won't seal. I'm running bbk shorties and stock h pipe.

Its not a gross leak but apparently enough to set a lean code. What about some rtrv copper ?
 

Beasty306GT

Active Member
Dec 19, 2002
671
4
28
Oxford,Mass
Mar 24, 2012
#2
  • Mar 24, 2012
  • #2
sand it down make sure it clean from debris..use a lil bit of grease and it should seal it
 

Way2QWK

Member
Dec 4, 2000
62
7
8
Tucson, AZ
Mar 25, 2012
#3
  • Mar 25, 2012
  • #3
You could try a thin metal Oring style exhaust gasket. I couldnt get a leak free seal on the drivers side using the same headers until I put one of those gaskets there. Autozone has them.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,029
1,620
194
NJ
Mar 25, 2012
#4
  • Mar 25, 2012
  • #4
I never had any luck sealing a stock size pipe to aftermarket headers.
Make sure the stock pipe didn't crush the ball socket on the headers (which i have done).

2.5 h pipes seal better IMO.
 
R

rockyracoon

10 Year Member
Nov 23, 2005
874
27
49
margate NJ
Mar 25, 2012
#5
  • Mar 25, 2012
  • #5
Anyone know what size donut I could try I would assume 2.25
 

FoMoCo17

Member
Apr 1, 2011
188
3
18
Mar 25, 2012
#6
  • Mar 25, 2012
  • #6
Try loosening and or disconneting all for corners of the H-pipe to isolate it from the headers and rest of the exhaust system. Then, re-tighten the problem side and see if ya can get it to seal properly in its correct position. You can even throw an air line up your exhaust pipe that is open as your doing it to see if your having an impact as you tighten up the connection. If you can seal it up, then tighten the other connection on the other header and listen for leaks. then, you can go back and and tighten the rest of the exhaust system (downward side) of the h-pipe. Sometimes catback or even stock replacement exhaust systems move things around a bit. By isolating this out of the equation, it might work because I experienced with my BBK's but I got them to seal pretty good with no problems. Had a set of Pypes and nothing would work so they went back to Pypes and then China I guess where they were made. Also check your H-pipe to make sure it is not torqued at the connection into the transmission crossmember from hitting something. Obviuosly this would have to be fixed and straightened out first to get a proper seal. And finally, does your H-pipe slide freely into the transmission crossmember mounts. With age and time, they can get obstructed from rubber breakdown which does not allow the h-pipe to pull as far forward as it could. Hope these ideas/thoughts help you!
 
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