Svingos129

Just got done installing my Flowtech longtubes and I've got a nasty leak on the driver side head. The whole install went great, took a little less than 4 hours including new plugs and wires install, and I came across few problems and all were easily fixed within minutes. But.....I do have a leak. I reused the factory gaskets at first and then I tried using the flowtech gaskets, which btw suck *** and are extemely restrictive. Right now I'm driving the car as much as I can, hoping maybe the headers will "season in" as I like to call, and I'm going to order a new set of factory gaskets and try them again. If anyone has had this problem and has any suggestions on a particular gasket I should try, please feel free to comment. I'd love to find a gasket that matches the exhaust ports just as the factories do. I guess my last resort will be some high temp blue glue, but I'd rather not fool with that. Thanks all.

Rob

technical

I heard a rumor once about a guy who used two gaskets per flange to get something like that to seal. It wasn't a GenIII, but it was a similar exhaust problem. I never did catch his name, but he said it was a "last ditch" effort...wink wink nudge nudge say no more.

ddelallata

iTrader: (2)

be careful with the BLUE stuff. I heard that it can F$#K up your O2 sensors.

BOWTIE

Be sure you tighten them gradually and from the inside out.

WS6snake-eater

Same problem here: It's driving me insane.

Trans Am Kid

I have the same problem, back tube on drivers side leaks, but I let the deaders get hot then tighted them back down, no leak, hope this helps. By the way the y-pipe sucks, mine would not fit into my cat back and it was not wide enough to mate to the headers, I had to pry it over to get it on the passager side header collector.

Svingos129

Did that too

Svingos129

I used some WD-40 and sprayed some on the I-pipe and it slipped right in, the coating on the y-pipe makes it a little tight

Sniper33

I have same problem with my headers. I reused the factory gaskets and I have a leak on the front driver side tube. Time to get some new gaskets I guess.

WILWAXU

iTrader: (6)

Is the flange bent?

Svingos129

As far as I can tell it isn't. But it seems like I'm not the only one having this problem. It's the front port on the driver side header thats ticking. Someone mentioned some soft aluminum gaskets would do the trick, but they are $40.00 and I'd rather not spend that kind of money on gaskets. I guess I'll just wait another week and give the new factory gasket a shot. A few people have told me that they were finally forced to use some high temp gasket glue...lets hope that won't be my last resort.

Sniper33

Nope, at least not to my knowledge.

WS6snake-eater

I'm going to try new gaskets on mine this Saturday...

FstBlkz28

iTrader: (13)

i've got a leak that developed ... well its been there since installed them ... but its gotten worse as a result of the bolts loosening. I need to pull my Ypipe/catback off this summer. Re adjust the headers and retorque the bolts. Hopefully that'll fix the leak

Svingos129

I suppose this is a common problem?

Svingos129

...Dido

Sonny

iTrader: (1)

Are all of you that experience header leaks using stock header bolts or stage 8 w/ locks?

S2002S

I used new OEM gaskets without a problem.

ChevyGoldfinger

We just pulled my stock motor with Jet Hot LT's on it, (422 Stroker going in)
On the drivers side, I had one leaking pretty badly. Not ticking loudly yet, but was about to start. We installed them with new Fel Pro gaskets and Stage 8 locking bolts too. Guess this is an ongoing problem with many of the headers for the LS1/6 motors. Those fancy triple thick ones with the aluminum in between might be the way to go. . . I think Earl's makes them? Not sure. There has to be a better way, mine only had 3,000 miles on them, and no N20 ever used.