fixed a header leak...now i have a problem

[ECU5.0]

well im not so sure its a problem but i changed my header gasket on the driver side of my motor because it was leaking and there were a few header bolts missing. i used a felpro header gasket i got from work and i put it on there and torqued all the bolts down. i started the car up and after about 5 seconds a little smoke starts coming from the header in between the header and the head. whats the deal? did i put the gasket on backwards...there was a metal side and than a paper side or whatever that crap is. i put the metal side toward the header. any help is appreciated. thanks

 

[281pony]

they always smoke when first put on.

 

[Ourobos]

Metal side goes toward the head is what I've always heard.

 

[ECU5.0]

hmm...maybe i should take it off and put the other one on there the right way....damn these things are a pita

 

[jerry beach]

I am not sure which way they go, call the parts store where you got them and ask for another opinion. I always use the Mr. Gasket ones, they are thicker and both sides are the same. They have hooks on each end so you can leave the two end bolts in place and slide it in. You probably knew that but JIC.

 

[88-GT]

Yea Mr. Gasket ones are definately the way to go, the hooks on the ends are a lifesaver. And yea I had to learn the hardway that headers smoke at first when the paint burns, did LT's on my buddys 2000 and it started smoking after startup, lemme tell you **** hit the fan until we figured out it was just paint.

 

[ECU5.0]

well i work at advance auto so we all figured the metal side went on the header since it probably gets a little hotter than the block. but we all could be wrong. they are felpro and have the hooks also. guess ill just have to deal with it for a little bit and than let it cool and tighten them again. thanks for the help guys

 

[5oh4fun]

Metal definitly goes against the head, at least thats what the instructions that come with the felpros say. I just installed a new pair of headers last weekend. If you have already done every thing, why don't you just wait and see if they leak? You would have to do everything over anyway, just see if you get lucky. But I'd keep the other gasket handy.

 

[Mike86Stang]

Metal goes to the header side, it does not face the head. The graphite side goes against the head. You have it on there rcorrectly now.

5oh4fun - no offence man but you may want to re read your directions.

ECU - if it's not leaking(you don't hear an exhuast leak) leave it alone. The smoke is probably just oil burning off the header.

 

[crunchie12268]

yeah, its fine, just drive it and then re check it. My friend poured oil on the headers and started his old truck up. He drove it down the road and people were staring at us wondering what the hell is going on.

 

[5oh4fun]

Yea, so I was cleaning out the garage(my chore for tonight), and happened to find the directions....the metal is supposed to go the header!! Lets see if I get lucky, if not, I'll just have to go and do it all over again. Sorry for the misinformation.

 

[ECU5.0]

yeah, they are fine now...no more smoking. i retorqued them after a heat cycle also. probably will check them again tomorrow. thanks for the help fellas