Stupid header gasket

[Dodge69_440]

Ok, I have tried to fix my exaust leak several times now with no success.  My headers are hooker comps and they had to be cut and bent a little to fit.  This is because I am running late model aerohead heads on my 360 I built.  My passenger side is sealed up fine, but the popping on the drivers side is driving me nuts.  Do you guys have any tricks for sealing up exhaust leaks at the head?  Should I use rubber or copper gaskets? 

-Thanks for any help

[mikepmcs]

copper or dead soft aluminum might help. They didn't get tweaked when you were tuning them to fit did they?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PHP%2D66037&N=700+4294908110+4294840106+115&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2D111420&N=700+4294908110+4294840106+115&autoview=sku

v/r
Mike

[Chryco Psycho]

Yup TTi headers

[Mefirst]

How come you dont use VHT Copper spray. Its like glue, and youll never have a leaking exhaust gasket again.

[Dave22443]

I fixed mine cheap and easy.  I put on two gaskets 

[RD]

copper or dead soft aluminum might help. They didn't get tweaked when you were tuning them to fit did they?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PHP%2D66037&N=700+4294908110+4294840106+115&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2D111420&N=700+4294908110+4294840106+115&autoview=sku

v/r
Mike

totally agree with Mike on this one... plus they are long lasting gaskets, you can reuse them after the seal has been broke.

[mikepmcs]

Hey hey... Jamey. How's Mom and the baby doing?

Sorry, off subject but that was a little scary.


v/r
Mike

[Dodge69_440]

No problem Mike.  Thanks a lot guys, those aluminum gaskets look like they will do the trick.  Might order some of that VHT stuff too looks like a good adhesive.  Now I just need to finish up school  so I can go home and get some work done on my car.

[71ChallengeHer]

I got the aluminum gaskets and a lock type header bolts for mine. A little pricey for bolts, but it did the trick. Dang header bolts kept backing out. No leaks now.

[MOPARHOUND!]

I fixed mine cheap and easy.  I put on two gaskets 

I had problems with a 318 in an old pickup that kept blowing exhaust gaskets on one side.  Talked to a diesel mechanic and he said to try doubling the gaskets.

Further he said to install them with the engine cool, like overnight cool.

He said to tighten the bolts/nuts beginning with the inner-most working your way to the outer-most bolt/nut.

Then, he said to run the engine for 20 minutes or so to get it good and warm, preferrably driving the car around, and to let it set overnight again.

Finally, go out in the cool of the morning and re-torque all bolts/nuts in the above sequence prior to start-up.

Never had a leak after that.

[Ghoste]

Just being the lone fool of dissent here, but I tried a set of the copper gaskets once and they were crap.  Not to say I didn't install them wrong or I had a bum set or whatever, but they were the leakiest garbage I ever tried.  I pulled them off and went back to the old style with copper sealant and that is what has worked best for me.