Driver said header gasket blew so I changed it with a copper gasket. After I got done I took it for a drive and it was running HORRIBLE. It reved very choppy, accelerated like a dog, with a slight vibration, which got worse if I opened the cutout (much worse)

I took it back, checked out all the wires and sensors on that side, they were all good and I have no SES light.

Any help would be great, I it need running by tomorrow...or it (the girlfriend) is going to kill me.

 

make sure you didn't crack or unhook the temperature sensor in the head. fairly common for that to happen.

 

It has always been kind of messed up (broken clip) but it's not leaking.

 

Mine did the same thing after installing the Mr gasket copper header gaskets. Took them out and every port was leaking on the bottom side. Bought some high temp copper rtv and put sealant on both sides of the gasket and reinstalled them. Let it sit for about an hour and restarted the car and runs 100% better. I bet the gasket is leaking. Good luck.
HVY SS

 

Here's what my copper gaskets looked like. You can see they don't fit and leak out the bottom.

 

I would just make sure the header gasket is seated properly and the bolts are tightened. Double check that all the plug wires are seated properly. If it is leaking, it will cause driveability problems. The temp sensor in the head only gives input to the dash gauge so even if you did knock it loose or damage it, it shouldn't effect your drivability.

 

Okay, I have tried 3 more times, the copper gaskets just will not seal. I'm leaking from every port, especially number 1. Maybe theses copper gaskets jsut don't work well with the thin flanges on the pacesetters. The car isn't even dirveable like this, and is backfiring like crazy.

I ordered some Felpros and will try them tomorrow.

 

The problem with the gaskets is that they are probably shaped to fit the stock manifolds, and the headers have bigger ports at the bottom. The bottom part of the embossment on the gasket crosses above the lower part of the header opening and breaks the seal.

 

I have read lots of posts where pople swear by theses on headers...why I got them.

 

Might depend on the particular headers whether they seal or not. Some guys might be having good luck with them, some dont, and some probably don't know. It wasn't real evident on my installation - you couldn't hear any ticking and the car ran fine. It wasn't until I pulled them off that it was noticeable, so I didn't reuse them.

 

Gah, mine feels like a civic, and shakes the car.

 

sounds more like a burnt plug wire then a leaky header gasket.

 

Ya might have broken a plug or burnt a wire.

 

Put on some Felpros, and everything is fine now.

 

Yep, I put those on with rk sport headers and leaked horribly. They do not work.