Make a note of it. - FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum

Doug Meldrum · 06-13-2011, 12:00 AM

Go through your motor and re-tighten all your bolts after you've heated it up or you'll get what I got. I ended up blowing a header gasket.

Put this under "don't do this" and "Awe Crap".

D

Arch F · 06-13-2011, 12:34 AM

Thanks. I have a rather large "don't do this, awe crap" file
Arch

Finallygotit · 06-13-2011, 03:47 AM

Thanks, good advice. Unfortunately for me...... been there, done that then bought Percy's bolts so I didn't have to go through it again. So check yer bolts always.

Bob Cowan · 06-13-2011, 04:14 AM

I havn't used an exhaust manifold gasket in years. High temp silicone only. But I do take the time to check those bolts pretty often. Every once in a while, I'll find one loose.

People have the same problem with intake manifold gaskets. The gaskets often compress well, but then later I'm not sure what happens, and the bolts are loose. That's when the gaskets fails. I go around and tighten in the bolts in the proper pattern, about 6 times. I wait about an hour or two, and do it again. I'v never had a failure there.

AC Bill · 06-13-2011, 05:59 AM

Doug, that's a real drag!

Seems common place with the stock bolts and gaskets, unfortunately...

The Percy split locks do seem to be a good investment, and if you can find them, try the Remflex gaskets. Good product, and I haven't heard of a failure with them yet..

PGreenSVT · 06-13-2011, 12:43 PM

Hi temp silicon only works great. A dab of Loctite helps to keep from coming loose. Splitlocs work well too.

Don Payne · 06-13-2011, 01:17 PM

Doug, are your header flanges flat? You probably have BBK's, but my Hookers need some love on a belt sander to correct the waviness of the flange.

BigLeo69 · 06-13-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Payne

Doug, are your header flanges flat? You probably have BBK's, but my Hookers need some love on a belt sander to correct the waviness of the flange.

i will ditto that on the hookers the mating surface sucks
well not to mention getting a good torque on the header bolts, with stage 8 bolts, copper rtv, i still came up with exhaust leaks all out the bottom.

i have been thinking of Gordon's headers.

Doug Meldrum · 08-04-2012, 08:41 PM

Well here we go again... I just noticed an all too familiar popping sound coming from my headers... AGAIN! I put in stage 8 bolts last time, which have been great, but the leak is coming from the same place my first leak came from. I have replaced four header gaskets now. I thought the bolts would solve the problem. I will admit, the latest gaskets were just stock Fel-Pro gaskets. This time I will take a look at my headers to see if it's warped.

Any tips on gaskets to use? I not convinced the silicone is the best solution because of goo-ping silicone or the mess to deal with... I also don't want to dis assemble the pipes to install new gaskets due to the awkward pipe/header install.

rscocca · 08-04-2012, 08:54 PM

Remflexs gaskets and Percy split bolts, Three years no leak, no loose bolts.

Damn, I just jingst myself

Butch B · 08-05-2012, 06:11 PM

Hey Doug,
I've reused the same Remflex Ex. gaskets on 3 diff. motors with stock ARP header bolts. No leaks with BBK Headers. Works fine for me.
hth
Butch

Don Payne · 08-05-2012, 10:00 PM

Seriously Doug, get your flanges sanded flat!!! Messing with gaskets, bolts and RTV will not compensate for a poor mating surface. It only cost me like $30. FYI, don't use gaskets...just copper RTV.

trevor · 08-05-2012, 10:06 PM

I bought the percys layered aluminum gaskets about 3 years ago. I havent had a problem since then. I re-tightened one time after the first heat cycle. Never touched anything again. I used to blow the stock gaskets all the time, also had the bolts loosen up too.

cobrajj · 08-05-2012, 10:40 PM

My results are the same as BUTCH B. I checked & had to re-torque a few of the ARP bolts after one heat cycle--that was two years ago. Jim