Does anyone know a quick fix to keep them from blowing out? I got a tip from a old summit magazine that suggest soaking the gaskets in a little bowl of water overnight,Then installing them.The tip says that the heat from the exaust will dry out the gasket and when it does,It will shrink somewhat and make a blow-proof seal.does anyone know if this will work?

 

Have the flanges ever been overtightened? If so, they are toast.

Look at the area around the bolt holes and see if the flange is distorted there; if so, get new collectors or at least the 3-bolt ring. I don't know of any way to fix the header side of the joint if it's hosed though.

The water trick is of very limited useflulness if the problem is lack of even clamping force all the way around the joint, which is the usual cause of repeated gasket failure.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Permatex Ultracopper! Never do exhaust without it.

 

You are probably using the generic white colored gaskets which dont last long. Use Mr Gasket ultra seal collector gaskets or copper ones and they will last longer. Also use lock washers on the bolts.

 

I checked the flanges,They appear to be o.k. I don't know why i didn't think of that ultracopper seal! I used it when i re-did the head on my fiero and it worked great,I'll try it on this problem too. Thanks for the help!

 

ok forget about using the ultrs-crap go to a local parts store and buy a set of actal copper gaskets and you'll have no leaks again!

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1989 firebird formula

Mods: converted from T.B.I. to a carburator 305 to a 350. Flowmater exhaust,hedman shortie hedders,202 heads,350 horse cam,bored.40 over, Edlebrock torker2 intake.

Future mods performer rpm air gap intake (polished) and 600 edlebrock carb, comp roller cam, and way better headsa 400 defintely in the works!