GrayZ28

the driver side header won't seem to seat properly. when the engine is running i can feel the leak. i tried tightening the bolts more and that didn't help. should i take the header off and try to reseat it that way? i got the copperseal gaskets on it. what should i look for on the gasket to see if it's messed up? thanks in advance for any advice.

Garry

wrd1972

Nearly all headers require special attention to the bolt holes. When I installed mine all the holes were a few thousands of an inch off.

You should be able to install the header and the six bolts by hand, this means screwing the six bolts entirely in as far as they will go only using your fingers. This was abosolutely impossible with my headers so I had to tweak the holes in order to achieve this. All this fuss means that the headers seat perfectly. Not doing this will result in leaks and possiblely frozen bolts.

If you bolts are binding in the flange holes then the header will not seat correctly, this might be your problem. The only other thing it can be is the flange is warped and will need to be milled at a mchine shop.

GrayZ28

rockin,

thanks for the info. i'll have to keep an eye out for that. i would hope that none of that would be messed up since i had a reputable shop install them but you never know. hopefully i can find out soon what is causing the leak. thanks again!!

Garry

IrocSS85

Ive used those copper gaskets before on my Iroc with poor results. brand new headers and had several small leaks. easy to find with a stethascope. just hold the end of the tube around the header ports. you'll be able to hear the air blowing past the tube of the stethascope. also, when you take it apart there will be black carbon tracks where the exh. was leasking out. you cold try to remove them and use high temp. sealer but Id just throw in some felpro's if your goin to go through all that hassle of taking them out.

GrayZ28

i'll probably do that then. thanks IROC. of course not the answer i wanted to hear. i just keep thinking how much of a pain the passenger side will be. and i can see the carbon tracks. hopefully i can knock it out this week or weekend. i'll let you guys know how it turns out. thanks for all the help.

Garry

Hawk

same thing with my headers!

I had to enlarge some of the holes for it to fit properly, once I did that they went in great!! No leaks either, it's been 3+ years to on the same gaskets

95LT1conv

i would recommend percys seal 4 good dead soft aluminum gaskets w/ stage 8 locking bolts. worked great for me. i was losing a bolt per week until i switched to this setup.