Blew a header gasket - Any tips for a noob?
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Teching In
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Central TX
Blew a header gasket - Any tips for a noob? I was headed down an on-ramp at near-WOT and suddenly heard a small pop and then constant ticking when giving it throttle after that. Drove it home, jacked it up and started snooping around. It didn't take long to find this on the bottom side of the passenger header in the back:
Is there a better gasket than what I already have that might be more beefy/durable/reliable? They are Pacesetter headers that came with the car. The previous owner said he only put about 1,500 miles on them before I bought it and I've put maybe 1,000 miles on it since I bought it last summer, so its not like these are old gaskets and the car was plenty warmed up before I stepped on it. I'd rather not replace these every 2,500 miles.
Also, any tips to make the removal/reinstallation of the header easier? I shouldn't have to completely remove the header, right? I figure I can just loosen the bolts, take out the old gasket, put on the new one and then tighten things down. Anything else I don't know about?
Many thanks.
Is there a better gasket than what I already have that might be more beefy/durable/reliable? They are Pacesetter headers that came with the car. The previous owner said he only put about 1,500 miles on them before I bought it and I've put maybe 1,000 miles on it since I bought it last summer, so its not like these are old gaskets and the car was plenty warmed up before I stepped on it. I'd rather not replace these every 2,500 miles.
Also, any tips to make the removal/reinstallation of the header easier? I shouldn't have to completely remove the header, right? I figure I can just loosen the bolts, take out the old gasket, put on the new one and then tighten things down. Anything else I don't know about?
Many thanks.
Get the GM MLS exhaust manifold gaskets. I'd spray down all around the header bolts the day or evening before, really good! You'll want to separate the headers from the heads far enough to clean off any/all gasket material stuck to the heads or headers otherwise you'll be doing this again before you know it. Put a little bit of anti-seize on the first 1/4" of thread on the header bolts before reinstalling them. Use a torque wrench and tighten to spec, start in the middle then work your way out farther left and right until there all tightened. Repeat the torque sequence a couple times to verify that all bolts are still tightened to spec.
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TECH Resident
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 752
Likes: 2
From: Leander TX
Should have gone with the OEM manifold gaskets.. they are reusable and no aftermarkey gasket seals as good as the OEM ones.. i didnt have spray but i coated both sides with copper RVT and ive ran them for 10k miles no leaks yet.. used factory bolts with anti sieze
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