I JUST INSTALLED THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADER ABOUT 3 MO. AGO. I HAD TO USE A GASKET FOR A PROPER SEAL.THE GASKET BLEW #3 CYL.ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I USED FELPRO.
FRANK
I would guess either the flange is not flat, or things were not torqued evenly. Generally, you really shouldn't need gaskets on the stock headers. A VERY light application of ultra copper sealant is all I use and have never had a problem.
THE ORIGINAL HEADER CRACKED FOR THE 2ND TIME AND I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE .YOU ARE RIGHT USUALLY A GASKET ISN'T NEEDED.WHEN I INSTALLED THE HEADER IT LEAKED AND THEN I INSTALLED THE GASKET
FRANK
Just replaced Hooker Headers with Stock headers. Having trouble sealing against head. What is the recommended torque pattern?
Basically from the inside/center to the outside edges, alternating between top and bottom.
I did that, I still have a leak. I even bought a gasket for the drivers side. Is it possible that i Have tightened the bolts too much? I really can't tighten them any more.
Also would like to add that the stock headers were a vast improvement for spool up. I don't have the torque converter or the turbo for the Hooker Competition set up. Everything is stock on the car with the exception of 3" stainless-turbo to tail pipes, Armstrong chip and a Delta II adjustable wastegate that I am still questioning. I think I am going to go with the T.H. set up. The Delta is too spiratic.
Might be a good idea to take them to a machine shop and have them "kiss" them to surface them so they are straight and put a bit of a cross hatch on them (for bite).
I recommend using the hi performance copper gaskets as some aftermarket "headers" are not always perfectly flush. I changed to copper after blowing a standard gasget with Poston headers.