Why I won't use copper header gaskets! Pics inside
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,620
From: Saginaw, Michigan
Originally posted by LT1Brutus
Didn't read all the posts....just got to the first few people using RTV and having no problems.
I thought it was pretty common knowledge that you MUST use RTV Red or Copper to get a seal with copper gaskets. Copper gaskets are used by racers because if you use RTV and tightem'em down they're tight, period...If you take the headers off, peel off the old rtv and rtv'em again, and they're good as new.
We use copper gaskets on 75% of customer cars we install headers on and RARELY have a problem...street or strip.
The key is proper RTV application, proper cleaning of the mating surfaces, and proper bolt sequence and torque.
95% of the guys doing their own headers on these cars don't put enough torque OR EVEN torque on their header bolts because they're a pain to get to. A common cause of leaks is in the center two ports having one bolt torqued as little as 5 ft. lbs. more than the other.
Didn't read all the posts....just got to the first few people using RTV and having no problems.
I thought it was pretty common knowledge that you MUST use RTV Red or Copper to get a seal with copper gaskets. Copper gaskets are used by racers because if you use RTV and tightem'em down they're tight, period...If you take the headers off, peel off the old rtv and rtv'em again, and they're good as new.
We use copper gaskets on 75% of customer cars we install headers on and RARELY have a problem...street or strip.
The key is proper RTV application, proper cleaning of the mating surfaces, and proper bolt sequence and torque.
95% of the guys doing their own headers on these cars don't put enough torque OR EVEN torque on their header bolts because they're a pain to get to. A common cause of leaks is in the center two ports having one bolt torqued as little as 5 ft. lbs. more than the other.
Where exactly do you apply the RTV? How much do you apply? If you could help with my leak, I'd appreciate it.
How tight do you tighten the collector bolts?
Dan
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 372
From: Hollywood, FL
man i am glad this thread is going on right now. i just puled my turbo manifold off to have it welded and planed because it was leaking like a beeotch. plus i lost a manifold bolt and the rest were crazy loose and now i know its because i never tightend them again.
if my manifold leaked at every port with copper gaskets does that mean my gaskets are shot or can i RTV them?
what do you guys think of stage 8 locking header bolts?
sorry to highjack the thread but its all related.
if my manifold leaked at every port with copper gaskets does that mean my gaskets are shot or can i RTV them?
what do you guys think of stage 8 locking header bolts?
sorry to highjack the thread but its all related.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 666
From: Elk Grove Vlg, IL
Im pretty sure you can just reuse copper gaskets as long as you clean the surface areas well.
Stage 8 locking header bolts only work on... let me think, 8 of the 12 bolts and sometimes you might be restricted to how far you can turn the screws. The heads on their screws are pretty large (7/16) and it makes it difficult to fit any socket or wrench around some of them. I am personally using a combination, but alot of people have been recommending the.... well I'm not sure of the name... that you actually tighten a center peice which expands the bolt locking it in place that way. Those are pretty expensive though compared to normal arp header bolts.
According to LT1brutus, you have to rtv them in order for them to work properly. Did you do this? The shop I took them to definitely didn't.
Stage 8 locking header bolts only work on... let me think, 8 of the 12 bolts and sometimes you might be restricted to how far you can turn the screws. The heads on their screws are pretty large (7/16) and it makes it difficult to fit any socket or wrench around some of them. I am personally using a combination, but alot of people have been recommending the.... well I'm not sure of the name... that you actually tighten a center peice which expands the bolt locking it in place that way. Those are pretty expensive though compared to normal arp header bolts.
According to LT1brutus, you have to rtv them in order for them to work properly. Did you do this? The shop I took them to definitely didn't.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 372
From: Hollywood, FL
i did not RTV them when i put them in the first time. nor did i check the bolts after that. as a result i lost one bolt and the rest were only finger tight and the gasket is petty black. so this time i will try the ultra copper and hope for the best.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,620
From: Saginaw, Michigan
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