95TransAm_ToM

Im on my 4th set of header gaskets on my 95 TA i only have 1700 miles on the engine and headers. I know my flange on my headers is not warped because they are LPP headers and are about a Half inch thick. I installed New Copper gaskets because i heard they were the best.. . . . well im leaking from both sides now instead of one..... i heated them up by running the car for a bit then cranking them down. Ihave done that 3 time....still leaking.>....... any advice?????


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TNy5mpz-oE

harner

iTrader: (16)

Locking header bolts. Also, run OEM/stock header gaskets. Not aftermarket.

95TransAm_ToM

i ran paper gaskets the day i put the new motor in, drove it home back from the shop they blew...its very irritating

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

Get some Percy's crush aluminum gaskets and your problem will be solved. Also, get the locking header bolts from Stage 8 as said and tighten them down and lock them after a few heat cycles.

airfix

iTrader: (30)

Copper gaskets suck. I've never ran locking bolts and everything has been fine. I bought some stage 8's a long time ago but they looked like a pain in the *** so I returned them.

Even though your header flanges are thick it doesn't mean they are truly flat. Check them with a strait edge to make sure. A lot of people have had good luck with felpro gaskets I can't remember the part# of the top of my head though, I'll quickly search and post it.

Z28Roxy

iTrader: (4)

Get Felpro 1406 gaskets.

Tighten bolts. Make sure you tighten them after a couple heat cycles. Then tighten them again after a couple more heat cycles. Do this like 5 times. I just use regular header bolts with lock washers. Not stage 8 bolts or anything like that.

If that fails you can try putting red rtv on the gaskets.

If it still fails you have a warped flange (or head), a crack in the header, or another problem (loose rocker or lifter noise or something).

airfix

iTrader: (30)

The gaskets that Z28ROXY posted are the ones I was talking about.

quik95lt1

iTrader: (7)

ive been fighting this problem for ever.....i blew felpros, coppers, aluminums, carbons, pretty much all of them.....then i found some from remflex they're like a thick soft malliable graphite material and they dont leak!!! been on the car for a while now finally with no leaks and to top it off they're fairly cheap like 30 for the set!!!! check em out.....
http://www.remflex.com/

95TransAm_ToM

Same here my damn car keep blowing gaskets no matter what ones i buy.....I bought the Felpros, Carbons, copper, and another brand wont seal...ive done 3 heat cycles ill do it again.......Thanks for the info i may have to get these

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

I've been using the Felpro 1406s for a decade without one leak. That with a good ARP 12-point 1" stainless bolt, never had a bolt back out.

JB_97ws6TA

iTrader: (6)

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-5965/

I had a hard time getting header flanges to seal until I found these gaskets

moderate Z28

Percy's aluminum crush gaskets are what I use. Never had a leak.
Also, I dont why everyone uses ARP or any of those crazy expensive header bolts. You dont need them. All I have EVER used is the $7.99 set of MR. Gasket header bolts at any parts store. I love em. Never had one back out. You just gotta know what your doing.

airfix

iTrader: (30)

The ARP bolts are $18. I wouldn't call that crazy expensive, Pretty reasonable if you ask me.

moderate Z28

Really? When I saw them I swear they were like $60 or $70. Something crazy.

lt1-xjs

Same here, 1406's for 6 years and never a leak and thats with std header bolts. As for the heat cycle I checked and or tightened mine everyday before starting it for about a week or more. When you can't tweek them anymore then you're done.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

The fancy ARPs you're talking about are just a standard run of the mill 12-point 1" 3/8ths headed bolt. It's the guys that spend $50-$70 on a set of bolts that doesn't make sense to me.

Z28Roxy

iTrader: (4)

You guys that keep blowing gaskets - have you checked for damage to your headers and loose rocker arms? Loose rockers sound just like a header leak.

I had a "header leak" that drove me bonkers. I changed the gaskets IDK how many times. Eventually my friend kept telling me "you have another header leak!!!". I popped the valve cover, found out one of my rockers for #4 was loose, I reset it to whatever past lash (can't remember what it's supposed to be, lol) and never had a "header leak" again.

Low N Slow

iTrader: (4)

These have worked great for me, put them in and go, no need to re-tighten. They have replaceable inserts so you don't have to buy the whole thing if you ever need to replace them.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EAR-29DA3BERL/

95TransAm_ToM

Nope its definatly the gaskets.....Ive checked them every time...they are blown out....when one does go out my car runs like **** and i can smell un-burnt fuel from the exhuast thus the reason why i failed emmisions twice in a row.

95TransAm_ToM

Only one of the 4 gaskets i had have i had my header blots back out...the bolts are not the problem they dont back out