header gasket/seal problem

ok, i recently installed pacesetter headers on my car. i cannot get the two center primaries to quit leaking(passenger side). i am using the copper gaskets. the flange does not appear to be bent in any way. you can feel the exhaust escaping in the middle. any suggestions? they have been pulled off several times in an attempt to make sure all is hooked up correctly. i am getting ready to buy a second set(felpro) gaskets and double them to see if that helps. thanks.

First, are you positive all of the header bolts were properly fastened? This time around, you could try giving the new set of Fel-Pros a few coats of the Permatex copper spray-a-gasket. If that doesn't work, maybe try a different gasket.

2000gtp, what do you mean? i am tightening from the inside out and tightening all the way down. is that right or am i missing what you are saying? also, they sell copper spray? cool.

I used a set of Percey's aluminum gaskets with my Pacesetter LT's and couldn't get them to seal for anything. The leaks were at the center two cylinders like yours. Replaced them with a set of Mr Gasket 5695's like these

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MRG%2D5965&N=700+4294921566+4294886211+400330+4294908216+4294 924746+4294908253+4294840140+4294889104+115&autoview=sku

They sealed perfectly the first try and have been good so far. Also - you can get these at the Zone. :)

hey deputy, im with you man! Not to highjack but i have pacesetter LT's and have the leak coming from the exact place but the driver side. Its annoying! I've bought the copper also with ARP 12 point bolts and tighten inside out.

On the gasket, did you have the embossed side (little edges sticking out) facing the headers or facing the heads?

Maybe the percy gaskets might work.

I can't say anything about Pacesetters, but I do have the Percy's aluminum gaskets on my Hooker LT's and they are sealed up fine. I also used the copper-safe RTV on each side of the gasket for extra insurance. I haven't had a problem so far.

2000gtp, what do you mean? i am tightening from the inside out and tightening all the way down. is that right or am i missing what you are saying? also, they sell copper spray? cool.

I'm just making sure that some of those bolts didn't back out on you, which they can be notorious for doing. As for the copper spray, Permatex makes it. You can get it at most parts stores. I picked it up at Wal-Mart if my memory serves correctly. A few coats of that on the Fel-Pros and it should help to make a better seal.

and tighten inside out.

Dont forget to do that, thats very important to tighten from the inside out. Use 1" header bolts to make sure they are threading far enough into the head. As far as gaskets, I never had a problem using Fel Pro's in the past. Im currently using Percy's gaskets that came with my Kooks headers. They are a steel shim with a carbon fiber coating. No leaks with them so far.


Nick

thanks for the replys guys. tnmotown i tried them both ways. was not real sure how they went. it did not matter. the bolts did not back out. it did it immediately upon start up and will not stop. i thought the copper gaskets were suppose to be the answer. i guess i will try a different combination.

thanks for the replys guys. tnmotown i tried them both ways. was not real sure how they went. it did not matter. the bolts did not back out. it did it immediately upon start up and will not stop. i thought the copper gaskets were suppose to be the answer. i guess i will try a different combination.


try the percy's dead soft aluminum ones I have pacesetter LTs and they sealed great no leaks.