"Trick" to diagnosing possible header exhaust leak?

[JasinC19]

So I finally got my engine fired up and dialed in for the most part.

I have a terrible exhaust leak coming from somewhere. It sounds like it is coming from the driver side headers. Has a lawnmowerish sound. Almost like the plugs aren't in.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to determine if it is the collector leaking or the gasket. They are Ford Racing shorties with Ford Racing gaskets. I installed them using the correct toque sequence while the engine was out of the car, so I'm pretty confident in the installation.

However, I did have to take that side back off at one point to do something (I forget what), and I reused the gasket.

Are these gaskets single use?

Is there some trick like using sudsy water or something to find a leak? It's really hard to tell where it's coming from when the car is in the garage.

Thanks

 

[Rick 91GT]

As long as you have not burned (burning the gasket can happen if it has too long exposere to the leak the gasket will actually deteriorate in that area )the gasket you can re-use them... look for any black soot like substance around the ports/bolts, this will show you what one is leaking. If the H-pipe to ball connection is leaking you may have to play with tighting one bolt a little more then the other on the flange.

 

[JasinC19]

Is there big discernible difference between a header leak and a leak at the connection between the H-Pipe and muffler pipe?

 

[foxbodymike87]

no, ive had both leak. Right now i have a header leak coming from the back of the right side. I would carefully stick your hand around the header and try and feel for exhaust coming out.

 

[Rick 91GT]

no, ive had both leak. Right now i have a header leak coming from the back of the right side. I would carefully stick your hand around the header and try and feel for exhaust coming out.

Correct... I also stick my hand around the ports, just dont touch anything.

 

[JasinC19]

Then I guess I should fix the small gap between the h pipe and muffler pipe first.

 

[HISSIN50]

A dash of Seafoam (introduced through a vacuum line) can reveal exhaust leaks as well.

 

[JasinC19]

The collector was leaking as was the h pipe. It's better now but still really loud. I'll probably just have the exhaust shop figure it out once I get the new mufflers delivered.

 

[wythors]

Get yourself about a three-foot length of hose. Put one end to your ear and probe around your exhaust with the other end. You WILL hear where it's leaking when you find it.