Leaky VBAND clamps
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Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
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Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Leaky VBAND clamps
So what is the preferred method to fix vband leaks? Buy gaskets from cometic? Weld some ID pipe inside the tube so it sticks into both ends 3/4" ?
-- Joe
-- Joe
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Car: 89 RS 89 iroc 87 firebird
Engine: 3.1 Turbo/ 355 twin turbo
Transmission: a4 w/ 4500 stall/ a4 / t5
Axle/Gears: strange s60 /w 3:42's
Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
first step is to true up the flanges with a file or belt sander , if they still leak just put some copper seal on the flange faces
u can if all else fails weld some tubing on the inside
u can if all else fails weld some tubing on the inside
#3
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Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
Not much you can do. They are suppose to be true to work but welding can shift them around. Even if you kept heat low sometimes they leak alittle. Hard to put anything on them and install to keep from leaking.
If you could somehow have a shop machine them after weld to a high grade flat surface finish they may have a chance
If you could somehow have a shop machine them after weld to a high grade flat surface finish they may have a chance
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Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
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Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
Ugg. They got red when I welded them, so I'm sure they are all warped. wtf.
Maybe that harbor freight 48" belt sander would be a good purchase.
Hey, on another note, have you ever welded o-rings to header flanges? These flanges don't wanna seel all that well either. I was thinking of welding orings around the ports, then putting the whole flange on the belt sander to true it up.
-- Joe
Maybe that harbor freight 48" belt sander would be a good purchase.
Hey, on another note, have you ever welded o-rings to header flanges? These flanges don't wanna seel all that well either. I was thinking of welding orings around the ports, then putting the whole flange on the belt sander to true it up.
-- Joe
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Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
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Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
The biggest problem is vbands. I checked it tonight. So the vband on my turbo is not parallel. I'm hoping I can losen the turbo and tighten the vband then I can tighten the T4 flange back down. If that fails I guess I'll put a flex on the DP so the turbo vband won't get out of alignment.
Both vbands on the crossover leak. From 5 minutes of running I got soot on them. I'll take the crossover and hit it with the belt sander. I guess both headers I can hit with a flat file or something so I don't have to take them off the engine again.
The WG flange leaks, it's crowned. again, I guess flat file.
-- Joe
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Car: 89 RS 89 iroc 87 firebird
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Transmission: a4 w/ 4500 stall/ a4 / t5
Axle/Gears: strange s60 /w 3:42's
Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
and everyone always asks me why i prefer 3 bolt or 4 bolt header flanges on my turbo systems , not syaing vbands arent nice but when they dont seal they can be a real headache
as for the header flanges not sealing u can always cut the flanges between the primarys makes it alot easier for the bolts to pull the flange solidly against the head and seal better
as for the header flanges not sealing u can always cut the flanges between the primarys makes it alot easier for the bolts to pull the flange solidly against the head and seal better
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Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
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Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
The vbands are the big issue now..
-- Joe
#9
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Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
That's why I always weld the V bands in short sections spaced apart and flat on a large surface or even the 2 halves clamped together. However, lately I have been using interlocking V bands, they are so much nicer. Easier to line up and no leaks. I do always use red rtv on them during final assembly.
Here's an example, these are so nice and thick. They are also made so that the exhaust turinb itself falls INTO a register on the V band, easier to weld, less chance of warping because you are nut welding (and pulling during cooling) against a possible not 100% straight cut end. During assembly the 2 halves dont shift and the sections will always be 100% properly orientated
On the primaries, I would install some studs. I know they make installing the headers a pita but if you get studs with a hex drive you can turn them in like a bolt and when all the way in tighten the nut and spread the load without pulling threads.
Here's an example, these are so nice and thick. They are also made so that the exhaust turinb itself falls INTO a register on the V band, easier to weld, less chance of warping because you are nut welding (and pulling during cooling) against a possible not 100% straight cut end. During assembly the 2 halves dont shift and the sections will always be 100% properly orientated
On the primaries, I would install some studs. I know they make installing the headers a pita but if you get studs with a hex drive you can turn them in like a bolt and when all the way in tighten the nut and spread the load without pulling threads.
Last edited by Twin_Turbo; 02-19-2014 at 08:41 AM.
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Car: Base 91 'bird
Engine: 3.1 v6
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.27 & PBR
Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
The most obvious thing to note in that picture is that one of the lamps is out. If only you paid more attention to details!
#11
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Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
I try to weld my vbands connected where possible. If not then i weld slowly. Lay a small bead section on one side and flip over 180 deg lay bead there. Maybe let cool abit if starts getting real hot. Try not to let it get to much heat
How bad a leak are you talking? A few of mine still leak but its minor and i let it slide
How bad a leak are you talking? A few of mine still leak but its minor and i let it slide
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Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
Engine: LC9, 355" LT1, LT1
Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
Unfortunately, I had surgery on an eye today so I'm out of commission for a day or so. (if I even attempt going in the garage with half my vision I'm bound to lose a hand).
I'm tempted to weld up some pipe to stick inside the 2 1/2" pipes. That I think would essentially kill the leak potential. Do they make tubing with an OD to fit inside a 2.5" pipe?
-- Joe
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Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
Engine: LC9, 355" LT1, LT1
Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
I found a ball/socket collector set in my shop, so I think I'm gonna take the manifold off and replace the vband with that.
While I'm there, I think I'm gonna redo the #8 primary so it loops up and back down, that way I could get a socket on the bolt rather than a small wrench.
And while I'm there, might as well move the crossover back so I can run a normal spark plug.
Round 3!
-- Joe
While I'm there, I think I'm gonna redo the #8 primary so it loops up and back down, that way I could get a socket on the bolt rather than a small wrench.
And while I'm there, might as well move the crossover back so I can run a normal spark plug.
Round 3!
-- Joe
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Car: 89 Camaro RS running MS2X
Engine: .48/.60AR T3/T4 2.8L V6
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: Next to break...
Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
Hey I know this thread is kinda older but...
Joe, did you ever use the ball/socket collector? How did it work out?
Reason I ask, is I am throwing around the idea to use those collectors on the turbo headers I want to build. First turbo setup was 3 bolt collectors plagued with leaks. Remflex gaskets fixed that. This time I'm going to build my own and I wanted to use the ball and socket collectors.
Joe, did you ever use the ball/socket collector? How did it work out?
Reason I ask, is I am throwing around the idea to use those collectors on the turbo headers I want to build. First turbo setup was 3 bolt collectors plagued with leaks. Remflex gaskets fixed that. This time I'm going to build my own and I wanted to use the ball and socket collectors.
#18
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Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
Engine: LC9, 355" LT1, LT1
Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
Hey I know this thread is kinda older but...
Joe, did you ever use the ball/socket collector? How did it work out?
Reason I ask, is I am throwing around the idea to use those collectors on the turbo headers I want to build. First turbo setup was 3 bolt collectors plagued with leaks. Remflex gaskets fixed that. This time I'm going to build my own and I wanted to use the ball and socket collectors.
Joe, did you ever use the ball/socket collector? How did it work out?
Reason I ask, is I am throwing around the idea to use those collectors on the turbo headers I want to build. First turbo setup was 3 bolt collectors plagued with leaks. Remflex gaskets fixed that. This time I'm going to build my own and I wanted to use the ball and socket collectors.
Using flowmaster ball and socket flanges. They don't leak, and i've had my exhaust on and off a few times with no hassle. I am using one butt connector for now because I'm space limited between the trans and the frame rail. But it's in a straight section of pipe. I could technically weld the pipe but then I'd have a 5 foot long downpipe that would be a nightmare to snake on and off.
-- Joe
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Car: 89 Camaro RS running MS2X
Engine: .48/.60AR T3/T4 2.8L V6
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: Next to break...
Yes I did. I threw all the vbands in the trash, except for the one that actually is on the turbo itself (since it's part of the housing).
Using flowmaster ball and socket flanges. They don't leak, and i've had my exhaust on and off a few times with no hassle. I am using one butt connector for now because I'm space limited between the trans and the frame rail. But it's in a straight section of pipe. I could technically weld the pipe but then I'd have a 5 foot long downpipe that would be a nightmare to snake on and off.
-- Joe
#20
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Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
Engine: LC9, 355" LT1, LT1
Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Re: Leaky VBAND clamps
-- Joe
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Car: 89 Camaro RS running MS2X
Engine: .48/.60AR T3/T4 2.8L V6
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: Next to break...
I have heard that putting a small piece of pipe inside the clamp, like you said works really well. I would but the dp vband has a smaller id then the flange on the turbo. To fix mine I am cutting a 3bolt flange gasket(copper mr gasket with the raised ring) to fit the vband. We will see how that one does.
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Car: 89 Camaro RS running MS2X
Engine: .48/.60AR T3/T4 2.8L V6
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: Next to break...
I have heard that putting a small piece of pipe inside the clamp, like you said works really well. I would but the dp vband has a smaller id then the flange on the turbo. To fix mine I am cutting a 3bolt flange gasket(copper mr gasket with the raised ring) to fit the vband. We will see how that one does.
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