exhaust leaks

My stock manifold keeps springing exhaust leaks. Does anyone know how good the Dynomax headers are for a SB in a 69 Camaro? I'm trying to pinch penny's since this engine is coming out so I don't want to dump a lot in headers.

Has anyone tried those "purple horny" pipes that summit has? If so does the 2 1/4 collector bolt up to most headers? I'm afraid to order them and they don't fit the dynomax headers.

If the leaks are coming from the point where the manifolds bolt to the heads, look out for old gasket material stuck to the manifolds. Sometimes it will be thin and shiny so it's not easy to see it. I like to use stock gaskets (even on engines with headers) coated on both sides with antiseize. That way it doesn't leave any material on the manifold or header, and I can reuse them when I pop off the headers for head gasket retorque on a fresh engine.

I have the Dynomax long tubes on my '77 and they're great. Make sure to get them coated though. I didn't, and I sprayed HEADER paint on them but it all burnt off in less than a week :mad: I picked mine up for about 90 bucks to with some discount :D