I've done all I know to do to get the drivers side header to seal on my camaro. They're a used set of hedman shortys. It keeps leaking right between the two center ports. I've used Percys and mr.gasket paper gaskets and they still leak. Pass side sealed fine. I just don't know what to do. I'm starting to think the header is warped.

 

the prob is that they are uneven. its the built up ring around each port that is not level

i had the same prob with one of my sets, i took mine to the local machine shop to level them. havent had a problem since. you can probably get the same results with a belt sander

 

do you think doubling up would help? I really don't want to pull those things back out but if i have to i have to

 

doubling up will help, as far as seal, its up in the air

 

When you had yours leveled how long did they keep the header? Did they just go straight and do it?

 

Hey man take the one that is leaking off, then cut the metal between 1&3 and 5&7 then take a big file and cut until its flat surface use some regular exhaust gasksets with red high temp sealant and im sure it will stop leaking

 

I second that. Use some red high temp RTV.

 

Go buy Earls Gaskets. They are soft and thick and reusable. They also have change out inserts. The best on the market. They are good for warpped flanges an if a blot comes loose they still won't leak. Paper gaskest ain't s#%t.

 

they had them a day and im using double stacked paper gaskets without issue

 

just take it out and fix it. I had the same problem with my SLP headers, both sides, the center ports flange was horribly warped, that or it had a low spot in the material it was cut from. either way, i took them out, and with a straight edge and a grinder with a flap wheel, i ground them flat. Never had a problem since, well worth the effort of removal.

 

HIgh temp copper RTV and no gaskets are what 99% of turbo guys use, should have zero issues for a NA motor. use the RTV on both sides of the gasket if you insist on using one.

 

I like Percy's but cutting the flange sounds like a good idea. I've seen some come like that from the manufacturer but can't remember which ones.

 

I don't remember exactly what I had to remove to get the driver side in but I'm thinking all we did was remove the valve cover and slide it in. That should be all thats needed for removal on a car wtih no AIR system right?

 

Well I got that header off. The high part on the ports are definately uneven. I'm going to have my g/f drop it off at a machine shop tomorrow since I have to work. Hopefully we'll be able to pick it up the same day.

 

Cheap set of felpro manifold gaskets and a tube of red RTV is all I ever use. Put a thin layer of rtv on both sides of the gaskets and never had a problem. I did have to double up a gasket once on #1 cylinder since the header was warped. It is still going without a hint of a leak.

 

once you get the flange sanded flat use Fel-pro 1404 or 1405 and 1" long small head arp bolt with a dab of anti-sieze on the threads.

 

header install 101 . clean GOOD all surfaces . chase all thread holes . install loose . (did i mention install loose) tighten from the center out lt & rt , alternate back and forth like tightening a cylinder head . final torque same sequence . not a slam , just what i have found work's for me . best of luck .

 

I double up on a set of headers to seal them and it worked. Then I took the motor out a couple years later to rebuild and when we were putting the headers on we didn't need double gaskets anymore. Running the motor and keeping the header bolts tight seemed to straighten out the flanges.

 

get a good set of copper gaskets like the percys or similar and be done with it.

 

Remflex gasket will fix your problem. It's thick soft graphite.

 

Hello, Sorry to jump into you thread, but I was just wondering if you recall what shape header gaskets you used? I am putting headers on my '85 TPI 305 Camaro and no one can seem to tell me what shape the header gaskets are. I want to order copper ones before I rip it apart. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

I have used the thick graphite one's with great success.

 

But what shape are the holes in the gasket- round, square or oblong?