cracked header

FoxGT87 · Jan 29, 2010

i have bbk shorties, and was wondering if they have a tendency to crack? i have an exhaust leak and it sounds like a pretty big one. its dark now so im not attempting to chase it down right now i will try tomorrow once it is cool again. i tightened down the header bolts on the passenger side of the engine closest to the firewall earlier cause ive been noticing this sound and it didnt seem "right" took me so long cause it had been like 2 months + since i had last driven it. i'm really hoping that it is maybe a broken weld as i don't really have $230 to buy new headers. i should have been more careful when tightening down the bolts today and checked the headers for cracks. going to find out what my next step is tomorrow morning.

jka · Jan 29, 2010

I think your header gaskets may be burned out. I had one burn out a few weeks ago and it sounded loud and bad.So replace the gaskets and you should be okay.

FoxGT87 · Jan 29, 2010

i was so worried about it being something costly and serious that i didnt even think about a gasket. what all is involved in replacing a header gasket? will the header move freely once all bolts are taken off? is there a better gasket to buy (i know people frown upon the cork based gaskets)? do both sides at once? (the driver side sounds fine alls you hear is motor on the right side)

Tanus · Jan 29, 2010

you can just do one side, Ive had good luck with mr gaskets (with metal insert) think its the 2nd cheapest one they sell.

and if bolts loosen, then you blow the gasket, just re-tightening bolts wont seal it.

its pretty easy to change (doesnt require much automotive knowledge) but its definatly a pain in the ass

FoxGT87 · Jan 31, 2010

okay i was told yesterday that i should take weight off the header before taking it off. i was wondering if i could just get under the car and slightly jack up my exhaust to do the job, or if i had to disconnect the header from the donut. it seems right that i need to get the weight off of the header so whats my options?

Tanus · Jan 31, 2010

well kinda depends Ive done it both ways, with the H-pipe atached header is kinda hard to manuver,

takeing the H-pipe off makes it easier, but its a pan in the ass to install (but that might just be my pos bbk H-pipe that doesnt line up for sh-it)

FoxGT87 · Jan 31, 2010

thanks for the help tanus.

i was going through old topics and stuff in the search engine and came up with this plan.

now i think what im going to do is jack the car up with a buddies reliable 2 1/2 ton and then slightly lift/support my Xpipe, disconect the header from Xpipe, and then take the header off (find out if openings are circular or square and bike my butt down to autozone) and do the swap. using carb cleaner to clean the surfaces and scraping it clean.

this will be my first time doing something like this on my own i just want to make sure that i have a good plan for a foundation before i start in on it and realised im boning myself.

hoping to start tomorrow morning but i am not sure if i will be getting the jack then. so hopefully very latest will be wednesday. it sounds like scarface is standing on that balcony under my hood everytime i step on the gas, and he is screaming "Say hello to my 5 oh" sigh

Tanus · Jan 31, 2010

sound like you have a good plan
couple tips for you;
get the metal mesh gaskets, cant see the metal cause its covered by normal gasket material, not to expensive, I think like 20 bucks
use some type of sealer on threads, I guess loctite if you have iron heads, I have aluminum heads and use red rtv
slowly tighten inner bolts to outside bolts, inner to outside, inner to outside (some people torque um but its not neccisary, I dont)
after 1 heat cycle re-thighten them
then after like 5 more cycles re-tighten again
I even re-tighten a 3rd time after like a month
also olny tighten on a cold motor, or warm is ok too, just not when its hot

FoxGT87 · Jan 31, 2010

cool again thanks for the help.

impulse001 · Jan 31, 2010

Let us know how it turns out...

Also, if it is a header gasket leak, you can sometimes see a discoloration on the block around where the leak it.. Just a thought that popped into my head.. lol

FoxGT87 · Feb 1, 2010

just got done with the install, lowering it down for the jack stands after this post for its first heat cycle, this went extremely well it was a little bit of a PITA to get all the bolts back in, but i managed. honestly the hardest part was finding the gasket which was 27.00 bucks. towards the end i found out that my best friend was a 3/8 wrench and not the socket, much easier.

again thanks to Tanus big help. now im going to drop her and see what she is all about right now.

tannerc91gt · Feb 1, 2010

FoxGT87 said:
just got done with the install, lowering it down for the jack stands after this post for its first heat cycle, this went extremely well it was a little bit of a PITA to get all the bolts back in, but i managed. honestly the hardest part was finding the gasket which was 27.00 bucks. towards the end i found out that my best friend was a 3/8 wrench and not the socket, much easier.

again thanks to Tanus big help. now im going to drop her and see what she is all about right now.

Yeah, you learn which tools end up being a bigger pain than they are worth. First time i replaced header gaskets i spent forever trying to get to a few bolts with my shorties.

Tanus · Feb 2, 2010

glad it went well

fiveohwblow · Feb 2, 2010

Did it get rid of the sound/leak?

FoxGT87 · Feb 2, 2010

yeah the sound is gone and its back to the way it sounded when i bought it. today i changed my oil and did the fifth heat cycle tightening. as easy as it is to tighten these bolts i think this will be a step in my routine maitenance of the car along with washing and what not.

Tanus · Feb 2, 2010

thats what I do, Ive had the same gaskets on for about 7 or 8 years

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