After installing the new motor my exhaust header gaskets leak quite abit. Whats the trick to getting these things to seal up correctly. Btw the heads are afr 165's which are aluminum if that makes a differece. thanks for the help Patrick
Tighten them down evenly, not one side more than the other. Did you check to see if the header flanges are perfectly flat before installing them? If you're using those white paper-looking header gaskets, I've read that you can soak them in water before installing them, supposedly they seal better. You can also try trimming regular metal sandwiched manifold gaskets to fit, because those things seal better and last longer than paper crap.
Oh yeah, make sure there's no header tube interference, such as the collectors hitting the subframe or something similar. If the headers are hitting something down below, the flanges will never seal properly, no matter how much you tighten them.
Do i need to use any type of silicone. Or do i just put them on bare? It sucks driving the car around and when you punch it all you see is smoke billowing out from the engine compartment..makes people think that your car is a pos. thanks for the help Pat Btw im using the metal looking gaskets
If money is tight use the cheapo white paper gaskets and soak them in water for an 1/2 hour to get them pulpy. I tried this and they worked really well for a while. I have tried many types of header gaskets and the Earls header gaskets are the best I have tried. They are aluminum with carbon fiber inserts. The inserts are repaceable. These babies are big money, but they really work! 2 summers on mine with no leaks
Whats a good way to check where my exhaust leak is? Would soapy water work? Or is there a better way? Cause im not sure if its coming from the gaskets or if its coming from the ports where the smog equipment threads into the heads at the front and back of the heads. I used spark plugs and inserts to close them off but im still not sure if there leaking. Pat
Personally I wouldn't use spark plugs to close off the EGR ports. If you've got an exhaust leak, you'll be able to hear it. Having someone sit in the car and rev it, you should be able to isolate which side it is coming from. Then just replace the header gasket on that side. d
Go to a medical supply house, or find one on line. Get the cheapest stethoscope you can find, This one goes for $9, I don't know what shipping is. Remove the bell, you may need to cut the tube to do it. Insert a piece of model makers brass tube. The brass is so you don't have to worry about getting it near something thats hot. Only noises directly in front of the tube will be picked up. Sneak up on your leak as things can get real loud real quick. Or just get a piece of tygon and stick it in your ear, take care not to puncture your ear drum. It's hell getting old and start needing these kind of things.
Or you could just buy one of these for 5.99. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=41966
Alright sweet ill give it a try. Does a exhaust leak take away from performance? I cant imagine why it would but i thought id just ask. The only reason i can think of is because it increases the heat in the engine compartment. Thanks for all the help. Pat
Don't know how badly leaks hurt performance but they have been known to burn plug wires and boots, and can contribute to backfireing.
It's a hollow tube and it works great for finding more than just exhaust gasket leaks. You can find ticks, knocks, and bad bearings in accessories like Alternator, Power Steering, Idler arm, Smog Pump, etc.
Cool, the ones I've borrowed seemed to have only a diaphram. Mom is a nurse, she gave me a set of 'Scopes. Works especially well for finding leaks because the stream blows directly into the hose. Could cause hearing damage. I guess the mechanics stethoscopes never impressed me enough to buy one and trade in my screwdriver for doing noise probes.
