do copper header gaskets cause leaks?

T

TENGRAM

New Member

Mar 18, 2006

143

0

0

Mar 18, 2006

#1

• Mar 18, 2006

• #1

i cant get my headers to seal properly, should i use different gaskets? mine are copper and seem to be good quality.

 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master

Apr 10, 2002

9,039

6

79

Charlotte, NC

Mar 18, 2006

#2

• Mar 18, 2006

• #2

Most of the time leaks like you're experiencing occur because the header flange isn't completely flat/true. Many headers (even new out of the box) have warped flanges. Some try to close up the gap with different types of gaskets, and by cranking down on header bolts -- but often with the result being continuing leaks, header bolts that back out and have to be retightened or stripped threads.

I'd pull the headers out and get a straight edge on the flange to see if it's flat/true. If not, a few bucks at your local machine shop can get you a mill job that will make the header seal like it should.

 

afast93stang

Founding Member

Jan 6, 2002

1,407

4

39

North Texas

Mar 18, 2006

#3

• Mar 18, 2006

• #3

I tried the copper gaskets, for the life of me I couldnt get them tight enough to stop leaking so I went back to the regular ones. As soon as I did, I didnt have any more leaks...

Honestly I think they are a waste of money, just my .02

 

Blk91stang

Member

Jan 3, 2003

607

0

16

North Brunswick, NJ

Mar 18, 2006

#4

• Mar 18, 2006

• #4

I have copper gaskets on all my cars and never had sealing problems. I went with them because I paper gaskets were blowing out left and right.

 

RacEoHolic330

I like to dress like a pretty girl

15 Year Member

Mar 4, 2003

4,014

1,698

203

Allentown, PA

Mar 18, 2006

#5

• Mar 18, 2006

• #5

I have the best luck with graphite gaskets.

 

T

TENGRAM

New Member

Mar 18, 2006

143

0

0

Mar 20, 2006

#6

• Mar 20, 2006

• #6

Blk91stang said:

I have copper gaskets on all my cars and never had sealing problems. I went with them because I paper gaskets were blowing out left and right.

Click to expand...

is there a trick to sealing them tight? i'm pretty sure the raised seal(for lack of a better term) is supposed to be facing the header, is this right? should i use some kind of gasket sealant?

 

Blk91stang

Member

Jan 3, 2003

607

0

16

North Brunswick, NJ

Mar 22, 2006

#7

• Mar 22, 2006

• #7

Yea I'm pretty sure the seal faces out and just tighten them up real well. I do have some problems with the bolts backing out over time but I dont have to worry about blown gaskets and plus I've re-used them almost 6 times now.

What type of headers are you using? It's possible the face is not perfectly flat like others have mentioned.

I think graphite gaskets are cheap anyways so test them out and see if it works.

 

G

gt90stang

New Member

Dec 7, 2002

568

0

0

Mar 22, 2006

#8

• Mar 22, 2006

• #8

These are IMHO the best header gaskets and they are re-useable:
FlowTech Real-Seal aluminum exhaust header gaskets 99253FLT

Don

 

T

TENGRAM

New Member

Mar 18, 2006

143

0

0

Mar 23, 2006

#9

• Mar 23, 2006

• #9

Blk91stang said:

Yea I'm pretty sure the seal faces out and just tighten them up real well. I do have some problems with the bolts backing out over time but I dont have to worry about blown gaskets and plus I've re-used them almost 6 times now.

What type of headers are you using? It's possible the face is not perfectly flat like others have mentioned.

I think graphite gaskets are cheap anyways so test them out and see if it works.

Click to expand...

i'm using MAC 1 5/8 unequal length shorties, individual flanges and each looked good and flat. can i get the graphites at autoparts store? soak them in water, use copper rtv, or both?
thanks for your help

 

1

1quik69

New Member

Apr 2, 2005

38

0

0

Mar 23, 2006

#10

• Mar 23, 2006

• #10

copper gaskets

I bought the copper gaskets for my Nova and they leaked like a sieve. I pulled them off a couple of times, cleaned everything up and still they leaked. The heads are Dart and the headers are super comp hooker. I finally got them to stop by buying "Byson" exhaust gaskets. they are about 1/8" thick and guaranteed flameproof. I haven't had a leak on this car since I used the Byson gaskets. Byson is the trade name for the gaskets. There also used to be extra thick gasket made by a company called "honest george gaskets", but I think they may be out of business now. They were in San Bernadino CA.

 

cevtv

Founding Member

Sep 15, 2002

1,113

0

37

Massachusetts

Mar 24, 2006

#11

• Mar 24, 2006

• #11

TENGRAM said:

i'm using MAC 1 5/8 unequal length shorties, individual flanges

Click to expand...

That's your problem, right there........





.