Leaking header gasket

[Harlow]

What effect would it have on the engine? It leaks on the #3 cylinder. I'm ordering a new gasket, I'm just curious what effect it would have.

[Skull-1]

Bump.  I am dealing with the same issue.   Having a hard time getting the headers to seal right.  Is it the head or the header that's warped?

Someone recommended Percy Super Soft Aluminum Gaskets....   Good or bad idea?   Double them up?

[Ghoste]

Header leaks are a pita to say the least.  I use a Fel Pro header gasket and run a bead of Permatex copper sealant around each port on both sides of the gasket.  Tighten it as much as you can, leave it a day to set and then take a short drive to heat the engine and retighten.  The a longer drive and tighten again.  After that I seldom have too many problems but you have to check the bolts every once in a while.
It's the header flanges and its the nature of the beast.

[Skull-1]

Header leaks are a pita to say the least.  I use a Fel Pro header gasket and run a bead of Permatex copper sealant around each port on both sides of the gasket.  Tighten it as much as you can, leave it a day to set and then take a short drive to heat the engine and retighten.  The a longer drive and tighten again.  After that I seldom have too many problems but you have to check the bolts every once in a while.
It's the header flanges and its the nature of the beast.

I have seen several suggestions and wonder which one(s) I should adopt.

1) Gasket it as you posted above.
2) Soft Aluminum Gaskets by Percy (single or double gasket).
3) Cut the flange.
4) Tighten from center out.
5) Switch to 360 Exhaust Manifolds.
6) Go back to factory 318 Manis.
7) use RTV or copper sealant with copper gaskets.
8 ) Ditch my Hookers for some other brand.
9) Use lock washers on the header bolts.

Am I going to ruin the head driving it with a leak?   I like the way they look but maybe I should just dump them.

[Cooter]

Siamese center ports. Design flaw of Mopar V8 engines. Even 3/8" flanges willleak if enough WOT blasts are performed.

[Skull-1]

Siamese center ports. Design flaw of Mopar V8 engines. Even 3/8" flanges willleak if enough WOT blasts are performed.

Is there a resolution for this?   Surface them?

[tufamc]

the one and done gasket....


http://catalog.remflex.com/


I've tried all the tricks, different materials of header gaskets on all of my cars/trucks with headers, they all eventually fail, these Remflex gaskets are 2 years strong on my 383 with headman's, and I'm thinking they will never fail until I have a need to take a header off. Pricey, but worth every piece of skin on  my knuckles!

[GPULLER]

I cut the flanges on my Hookers, between 1-3, 5-7 and 2-4,6-8.  Used one gasket with Ultra copper RTV, always ends up with leak free headers.

[Cooter]

Siamese center ports. Design flaw of Mopar V8 engines. Even 3/8" flanges willleak if enough WOT blasts are performed.

Is there a resolution for this?   Surface them?

unfortunately, it's because of the center ports causing  .  Too much heat in one spot. Design of engine.

[GPULLER]

That's why I cut my flanges.  That way each section of flange can "float" if you will, and they can be tightened down individually.

[Skull-1]

I cut the flanges on my Hookers, between 1-3, 5-7 and 2-4,6-8.  Used one gasket with Ultra copper RTV, always ends up with leak free headers.

Well we did a double copper gasket so cross your fingers.

[Skull-1]

Siamese center ports. Design flaw of Mopar V8 engines. Even 3/8" flanges willleak if enough WOT blasts are performed.

Is there a resolution for this?   Surface them?

unfortunately, it's because of the center ports causing  .  Too much heat in one spot. Design of engine.

Exhaust Mans don't ever leak though, so as designed they work right.  Or am I wrong there...?

[Moneypit6]

Remflex is the way to go!

[Ghoste]

Manifolds can leak but the flanges and sidewalls etc are so much thicker that its pretty rare.

[The70RT]

What effect would it have on the engine? Horse power reduction, blow torch affect on the parts, possibly a fire hazzaed and as we all know it sounds horrible.

[Ghoste]

Sounds awful, fumes, it can burn a bigger problem into the port over time.

[Skull-1]

Sounds awful, fumes, it can burn a bigger problem into the port over time.

I won't have done any damage in less than 250 miles I take it...

[Skull-1]

 

Remflex is the way to go!

May turn to that if it springs another leak.

[RallyeMike]

I don't touch anything but Remflex anymore.  They only have one downside - they are not reusable.

[firefighter3931]

I've had great success with the Percy's dead soft aluminum gaskets. The current set is 6 years old and have been on/off a dozen times....still seals up perfectly. 


Ron

[Skull-1]

Is there a 360 Exhaust Manifold that is the same configuration as the 1969 318 Mani?   I may go that route the next time this one springs a leak.

[68CoronetRT]

I've had good luck with Remflex on my 22rte manifold sealing, but the Mopar got the Perceys and it's the only thing I could get to seal that headers(Hookers).

[terrible one]

I've had great success with the Percy's dead soft aluminum gaskets. The current set is 6 years old and have been on/off a dozen times....still seals up perfectly.  


Ron

I followed Ron's advice a couple years back and have had good luck with Percy's myself for the Hedmans on my 383. Even had the headers off and back on, re-used them and they are all good.  

[1974dodgecharger]

I've had great success with the Percy's dead soft aluminum gaskets. The current set is 6 years old and have been on/off a dozen times....still seals up perfectly. 


Ron

X2 I have these car also and no leaks,  before that sob would leak like crazy but got the percy stuff andworks great.  I got there collector tubing also.....