Headers keep leaking

95Cbra5O

Founding Member

Jan 17, 2001

171

0

17

Round Rock, TX

Dec 1, 2005

#1

• Dec 1, 2005

• #1

I put some headers on about 3 years ago and about a year ago they blew a header gasket. Than a few months after that it did it again and now for a third time it has happened again. It is always the back left gasket. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again? Thanks for the help.

 

broken_joke

Member

Nov 24, 2004

138

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16

carriere, ms

Dec 1, 2005

#2

• Dec 1, 2005

• #2

i had a similar thing with my headers leaking on the passenger side and to the rear of the header. what happened in my case was the valve cover was leaking oil onto the header and the gasket and it completely broke down the gasket. so maybe check your vave cover gasket for leaks

 

M

Mustang95GTS

New Member

Feb 25, 2004

96

0

0

Dec 1, 2005

#3

• Dec 1, 2005

• #3

Some companies make locking header bolts. This is a regular bolt w/ a hex in the middle. This is screwed in and then the hex is tightened, thus expanding the flanges on the end. If this is not for you, you can always put a new gasket in, then after a few days of driving, make sure that you tighten them again. It is always good to periodically (like every other month, or right when you start to hear a leak) to tighten them again. BTW I had this problem, then I finally figured out how to do it so I dont have to put new gaskets in (only after replacing 8 sets)

Sean

 

RIO5.0

15 Year Member

Feb 16, 2001

6,892

8

128

N.H.

Dec 1, 2005

#4

• Dec 1, 2005

• #4

I run double Fel-Pro 1415's and Stg 8 bolts....zero leaks...It leaked with one, so I doubled it...Seems to work..

 

KK6695GT

New Member

Nov 26, 2005

66

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0

Indiana

Dec 1, 2005

#5

• Dec 1, 2005

• #5

Considered copper gaskets?

 

GRGT1994

New Member

Sep 22, 2004

1,034

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0

Dec 1, 2005

#6

• Dec 1, 2005

• #6

Try locking header bolts, like the Breslin bolts. You could also get slightly longer bolts (1" I think). Best way is to use long locking bolts. Good luck

 

91LX_5L

Founding Member

May 13, 2002

1,943

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36

British Columbia

Dec 1, 2005

#7

• Dec 1, 2005

• #7

Ok bud, im gonna keep this short and sweet. I had the same problem I cant even think how many gaskets I blew and I tried many brands.

Either get the ford ones, not felpro, the acutal ford style which are like aluminum/lead texture and can even be reused.

OR do what I did. I got some felpro gaskets and smeared the hi-temp copper silicone on them on both sides, stuck them in and tightned them up both sides. I used USED gaskets which were badly worn and I have NO leaks for like 3 months, SOLD AS HELL (knock on wood). The reason I used gaskets and the copper silicone was to make sure it sealed good, if the headers arnt pefectly even then you will get a leak more then likely, but the other reason Is I just undid them from my heads I didnt wanna crawl underneigth and take them off my hpipe, so there was no way I could put a nice bead around the header...get it?

Anyways HI-TEMP COPPER SILICONE!! DO IT! You will thank me later

 

W

will4193

New Member

Apr 14, 2004

31

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0

PA

Dec 2, 2005

#8

• Dec 2, 2005

• #8

I don't use gaskets!! Just the good copper RTV!! When you do take the headers back off you have to pry them!! lol. My brother and I have both done it this way for years no leaks.

 

ProKiller

Founding Member

Apr 26, 2002

3,064

15

78

PA

Dec 2, 2005

#9

• Dec 2, 2005

• #9

will4193 said:

I don't use gaskets!! Just the good copper RTV!! When you do take the headers back off you have to pry them!! lol. My brother and I have both done it this way for years no leaks.

Click to expand...

excatly what i was going to say. don't bother with gaskets. just get some high temp RTV and smear a good coat on there. locking bolts will help too. all the engine builders that i talked to don't use header gaskets, just RTV.

 

final5-0

Mustang Master

Apr 6, 2003

6,817

12

79

DFW Texas

Dec 2, 2005

#10

• Dec 2, 2005

• #10

Simple solution that works great and the cost is pennies.

Both the middle and right washer will work but I have used the middle washer almost excusively.

Been three years now and still on same gasket and have lost no bolts.

Grady

 

scarless

Member

Aug 9, 2004

175

0

16

Dec 2, 2005

#11

• Dec 2, 2005

• #11

Used Felpro gasket with hi-temp copper on both sides, stage 8 bolts. Tighten again after in a few days, no leaks.

 

91LX_5L

Founding Member

May 13, 2002

1,943

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36

British Columbia

Dec 2, 2005

#12

• Dec 2, 2005

• #12

scarless said:

Used Felpro gasket with hi-temp copper on both sides, stage 8 bolts. Tighten again after in a few days, no leaks.

Click to expand...

Yeah it works wicked thats waht I did too .