header gaskets?

[viper3885]

i have a question about header gaskets for my car. can i double them up and put them on one side? because i just replaced mine and the headers are still leaking, it looks like there is still a space inbetween the header and the gasket. i figured i could take two and put them in there but i just wanted to make sure before i do it.

[str8evl]

what kind of gaskets are you using, stock replacement?

[viper3885]

no i'm using the mr. gasket ultra gaskets

[str8evl]

you could try it, but odds are you will just blow them out in. I used the stock replacements with my headers and have had no probs. good luck

[PC PaiN]

Do LT1's use the metal style gaskets stock? I would look into new set of those if you can find them.

Also, TECH SECTIONS RAWK :D

[SAR2K]

Don't double up on the gaskets. If you continually get leaks then it's time to examine the header flange and gasket surface of the head to make sure they're not messed up. Make sure the header flange is not bent. Also make sure the header bolts aren't vibrating loose on you.
FWIW, as a general rule with all gaskets once you have the two mating surfaces machineed to spec you want to run the thinest gasket possible. A thin cross section holds up better to pressure.
Steve...

[viper3885]

well the only reason i sprung a leak was b/c i had the wrong shaped gasket in there, but when i replaced it with the right shape it's still leaking now... so i dunno what the problem is

[Red96SS]

What length bolts are you using on your headers? It's possible that if the flange isn't very thick and that you are using bolts that are too long that they are bottoming in the holes. If you have that much of a gap visible between the flange and the head something is really wrong.

Is it possible that they are really warped out of shape? You might have to pull them out and check to see if the mating surface is flat :(

[viper3885]

i guess i'm going to have to check and see if it's flat... looked like it to me but i'll take a better look next time. wierd thing is that you can't really hear it when you pop the hood but if you get under the car you can really hear it... so that makes me wonder if it's even the header :dunno:

[Red96SS]

:sillyme: collector leak

If you truely had a header leak you would hear it at idle. And, you would see telltale signs on your wires, plugs and other things.

I'm thinking that the gap you see isn't really what you think it is. The mating surface on the heads is smaller then the header's flange making it look like there's a gap between the head and the header.

[viper3885]

yea i just rechecked now and it's definitely not the header, you can't hear anything except the lifters from the engine bay... it sounds like its coming from either the cat or the collector on the pass side... damn you exhaust leaks :mad:

[Red96SS]

I'm glad you found your problem... :)

[viper3885]

yea me too... now all i have to do is fix it :2guns: