I have a set of SLP stainless and can't seem to get them to seal... even with good gaskets they leak at the collectors.

What headers is everyone using... and where, or do, they leak?

This is multiple choice so you can pick more than one.

I'm trying to figure out which headers are more susceptible to leaking and where it is that they leak... so add a short reply too.

TOGETHER WE CAN STOP LEAKY HEADERS FOREVER!!!

 

I have SLPs and I used the gaskets that come with them and haven't had a problem.

 

They'd better not, I just got them put on this morning!

 

No leaks here, the SLP's have been on my RS almost 3 months now. I did tighten the header bolts a week after the installation and I check them every other week and so far they dont leak.

 

I've had my TES for 3 years, no leaks! Changing to SLP soon....

 

They will all leak after a week or two, so you will just have to go and retighten them a couple times. I blew out a collector gasket on my Hooker Shorties after a couple of months but after changing those to a better quality have had no problems.

Just stay away from those lousy cardboard gaskets that they all try to foist on you, and get metal reinforced gaskets and you will be OK.

 

My Edelbrocks leaked at the head. Solution tighten header bolts.

They also leaked at the collector(donut) also tighten up bolts.

No big trouble

My SLP headers only leaked at the left side donut. I mangled the donut and can't seem to get a donut that is properly sized. They all seem to be a little to small. The leak isn't all that bad but when It didn't leak the car sounds 10 times meaner.

 

Had my SLP's on for about four months.
Using Embossed Copper gaskets at the heads and gaskets that came with headers between the headers and Y-Pipe.Had to re-tighten everything for a few weeks after putting them on, but no leaks for about 2 months now.
-Rich-

 

I run the old SLP Tri-Y's. They haven't leaked since I put them on the car in 1989. Unless you count the time I dragged them over a RR crossing and tore the cross over off. Broke the pipe off at one of the flanges at the head.

I use the gaskets that SLP provided; Corvette gaskets at the manifold and what looks to be custom two-hole gaskets at the collector.

 

Had a leak last year, loose bolt RH rear. Tightened up, no problem. Had them 3 years.

 

I've been checking into this thread regularly and so far here's what I've seen:

Half of you are using SLP and have almost no leaks... strange as mine leak like a seive.

The number of leaks increased when someone voted for the Hooker and Hedman's... indicating to me that they are prone to leaking.

At present it seems the Edelbrock TES and the SLP's are mostly leak free.

Keep em coming... and notes do help...

 

I have SLP 1-5/8" headers. They leak only when the bolts loosen or completly fall out. Last time to the shop to re-tighten the bolts we found 5 bolts gone. No damage to the gasket. Re-installed new bolts and tightened the balance. Nice & quiet now.

 

My SLPs have never leaked and I used the gaskets that came with them. I re-torqued the bolts after 50, then 100 miles, then I haven't touched them since. That was almost a year ago. Still nice 'n' sealed.

 

I had the exhaust mounted too tight on my monte. Didnt' allow the exhaust to move a little when the motor rocked over. Removed a set of hangers and tightened up the collector bolts and walla no leaks.

 

Hedmans with Hedman y-pipe. Been on the car for about a year and no leaks. Used some some kind fatass aluminum gasket and just retightened them a few times.

 

My Hooker comps have always leaked at the back of the passenger head ever since I've had them despite different gasket combinations.

 

thats funny you say that cuz mine leaks their too. i got hooker comps shorties same as you and it leaks right there but its because the back bolt keeps loosening up for some reason. they are not the bolts supplied, they are 3/8 ARP bolts and none of the other ones loosen up.......just that passenger side back one

 

yea i have the same problem with my hooker headers im at the point with 2 bolts have fallen off just ordered sum breslins along with new gaskets (using the ones that came with the headers) hopefully this will cure my annoying leak problem and make my car sound like the beast it should sound like

 

No leaks since I put on the Breslan locking header bolts.

 

good news 2 hear and on a side note I LOVE SUMMIT ordered my stuff this afternoon will be at my door sumtyme 2morrow yay!

 

yeah i need locking bolts or something. i just keep checking the bolt and tightening it every once in awhile.

and hooker headers makes a great product! fine set of headers and y pipe they have there!.

 

How do you know if they leak or not? I have a pair of Edelbrock headers that i had installed. I havnt had any problems, as far as i know though.

 

mine makes a ticking sound from the headers area... its kinda loud ticking that varies with RPM. after retightening the bolt that always comes loose, it goes away

 

Don't ever buy flowtechs unless you want them to leak all over. Worst headers ever.

 

I have headman headers on mine and I finally replaced those paper gaskets that came with the headers when I bought them 10 yrs ago. I decided to use the copper gaskets from Mr. Gaskets and the exhaust just leaks out. I only put 1 gasket for each side.

What do you guys think, should I add 2 gaskets for each collector?

Thanks for your help

 

I have used Hedman, Dynomax, Cyclone , blackjack ( AK5000 put on my truck in 1987 ) even a set of Flowtech on my motorhome the only set of headers I had a leak problem are the Pacesetters on my daily driver pickup and they only at the ball and sockect collecter and they only leak cold as soon as the metal gets hot and swells leak all gone .I always use Mr Gasket ultra seals at the head and Summit dead soft aluminum at the collecters .

 

I have used Hedman, Dynomax, Cyclone , blackjack ( AK5000 put on my truck in 1987 ) even a set of Flowtech on my motorhome the only set of headers I had a leak problem are the Pacesetters on my daily driver pickup and they only at the ball and sockect collecter and they only leak cold as soon as the metal gets hot and swells leak all gone .I always use Mr Gasket ultra seals at the head and Summit dead soft aluminum at the collecters .