73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: 1LOW4X4 on March 12, 2011, 07:47:18 PM
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Hey guys. I have a 85 silverado, 350....just installed Hooker Headers which are 2 5/8" primaries and 2.5" collectors. I used copper gaskets on the collectors and no problems so far (I think).
I used the aluminum "crushable" gaskets for the headers, they can be seen in the pic below.
I'm having problems cutting out exhaust leaks on the headers. Ive tightened and retightened the bolts after they got hot like 3 times. Its gotten better but still leaking. I thought about cutting the headers between the exhaust ports so they each have more flex to make up to the head (in case the header is warped) but idk.
Is this the best gasket I can get of is there better? What about headers bolts, such as ARP? although I havent had any problems with these yet, I'm worried about breaking them off.
ALso, one of the header bolts is stripped out on the passenger side, and I am sure thats some of my leak. WHat can I do there? The problem started when we broke a bolt off in that hole back when we rebuilt the engine, and the hold got buggered up getting it out.
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/nickboudro/751ab69f.jpg)
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i JUST did mine this past week and although im not positive i dont have leaks, it doesnt seem like it. i used the percy's aluminum gaskets and they seem to be ok. from what i've read, even torque on the bolts is pretty key so if you've got a stripped one i'd suspect that as the main thing throwing off even tightening.
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Youd hear a ticking sound if you had leaks. Yeah that dang one bolt could be "censored word's will get you removed from this forum" me on that side. I dont know a fix for that. But I still might consider cutting the headers to let each set of tubes bolt up individually, like a regualr manifold.
Got a link to percys gaskets?
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If you cut your header flanges, you will still have a leak if you have a fastener that's not doing it's job. Buy a helicoil kit or tap bigger threads into the head and use a bigger bolt to get that connection working for you.
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I would use a Heli-coil kit to repair that stripped bolt.
Those header gaskets are a large square port. Are your headers also square port? Most that I see are oval port and have a raised flat bead around each port. If this raised bead has a significant mismatch with the square shape of the gasket (I'm thinking in the corners), you'll have leaks no matter how tight you get the bolts.
When you remove the passenger header to fix the bolt hole, check for a good match between the header and gasket sealing surfaces.
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I would use a Heli-coil kit to repair that stripped bolt.
Those header gaskets are a large square port. Are your headers also square port? Most that I see are oval port and have a raised flat bead around each port. If this raised bead has a significant mismatch with the square shape of the gasket (I'm thinking in the corners), you'll have leaks no matter how tight you get the bolts.
When you remove the passenger header to fix the bolt hole, check for a good match between the header and gasket sealing surfaces.
ahh i didnt even notice they were square. percy's makes the same alu gasket in a round version. thats what i've got on mine.
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Sorry for the cussword, didn't realize this site was for 1st graders
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Sorry for the cussword, didn't realize this site was for 1st graders
Language isn't necessary to get your point across. If everyone was allowed to do it the whole site would be filled with F-bombs and the like. Frankly swearing is very juvenile in my opinion, and I'm no saint by any means.
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Also you need to use high temp anti-seize on the header bolt threads. That'll make them easy to remove in the future.
Sorry for the cussword, didn't realize this site was for 1st graders
I've also slipped up a few times in the past, but now I have come to find the censorship here makes the whole atmosphere alot more friendly and classy compared to some of the other forums.
Language isn't necessary to get your point across.
Yep, violence works good too. :P I know what you meant.
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Thanks for the tips on the header gaskets. Just ordered a set of new round port Percys header gaskets and aluminum collector gaskets.
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Talking and typing are two different things all together. You can talk how ever you like, but here you will not type any swear words. Its very clear in the rules you agreed to when you signed up.
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Sorry for the cussword, didn't realize this site was for 1st graders
It's not, it's for adults and I do take it seriously. 5 day ban, while you are gone, read this (should have read it when you joined...
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15268.0
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I can't be an adult and I should be banned... permanently.
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Bye!! that looks like a permanent ban to me. Too bad, he had some nice trucks.
We are not the trolls...learn what a word means before you use it.
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I can't imagine turning your nose up at all of this free knowledge, support and camaraderie simply because you can't type cause words. Dude....that's a mistake.
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We're all guilty of letting emotions get the best of us. Sometimes you have to pay the consequences, though. That's a shame because he seemed like a helpful member otherwise.
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Capt, that's not what he said!
Just kidding.
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I Italics it for you... ;)
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Thats still not what he said... ;D
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Well, I wouldn't mind some free knowledge! So, what is the best header gasket money can buy? ;D
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the soft gaskets seem to be popular. Copper or aluminum. But honestly, the key is doing it right. The header flange must be true and you need to torque them correctly and again after a few heat cycles. Ive had one set of thick paper gaskets on mine and they havent leaked yet. I put them on around 2004 or so but for about 5 years i didnt drive it much at all because I was active duty.
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aluminum! and even torque on every bolt and double checking it after driving it for the first few times.
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90% of the problems with Gaskets leaking on headers are due from cheap quality headers with thin flanges and them not being flat. With a quality header any common gasket will work.