here's the scoop, i've tried the gaskets that come w/ jet hot, switched fel pro's like 3 times, and i now have factory exhaust manifold gaskets and my drivers side header still leaks !!!

i just had the engine completely out of my car, put the headers on it while it was sitting on my damn garage floor and installed it assembled, started the car,,fine for about 10 min, then started to leak again, 1 week later (thursday night) replaced the drivers side gasket with a factory metal exhaust manifold gasket, started/drove the car, kept rpms down, started leaking again after 30 min.
i cleaned both head/header surfaces, even put in arp 1" bolts, it just keeps leaking....i don't understand, what can i do??
my dad suggested maybe my header surface isn't level and thats why it wouldn't seal..
any other suggestions??
sorry for venting, its just so frustrating!!!

 

Hey,
I agree with your dad,
I had the same problem with some SLP shorties. I kept blowing headers gaskets along with the leaking.
I took the headers to a machine shop and had them milled down just enough until they were even and flat.
Problems solved

Tim

 

Try using two gaskets on the driver's side.

 

What he said. IF your having constant leak problems, try a double-gasket. ALSO tighten bolts in sequence like your intake. From the inside two, out ward.

 

Also get some 12 point headed bolt's so you can tighten the**** out of them with a ratchet or a box end wrench. If you have alum. heads get the 1" long big block ones for extra thread contact for the torque..The torque spects are 3 heavy grunt's.Or as tight as you can get them plus a round and a half

 

Yep, I always tighten headers from the inside out other wise I find they start to leak so try that.