Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

header leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 12:34 PM
  #1  
sunsetorang01TA's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Macungie PA
Default header leak

well i've had my headers on for about a week an a half. i no i got a header leak cuz i can hear it. i put brand new GM gaskets instead of the crappy pace setter ones so i no its not the gaskets. my buddy told me there is stuff they sell at autozone that is like a sealer that u can put around. im almost positive that its coming from the Air fittings on the headers that u need to block off cuz on the 1 i only have 1 bolt in and tightened. but all the rest i have them all in. i made sure all the bolts everywhere else were tight as hell. im just wondering if anyone has used that sealer or anyone done anything else to stop there header leaks.

thanks
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 01:20 PM
  #2  
TheBlurLS1's Avatar
That's what she said...
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,954
Likes: 2
From: Nederland Texas
Default

People use the sealer stuff all the time, but I'd just try using another bolt for hte AIR blockoff. 1 is not enough to stop it from flapping open. Take the one you do have to the hardware store and get another one to match.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 01:29 PM
  #3  
bayer-z28's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,085
Likes: 1
From: N. Falmouth MA
Default

What bolts did you use? Stockers will take about 1k miles to seat themselves in there. A thing to remember, headers have a thinner wall then regular manifolds, so they will be a bit noiser.

A pulsing leak sound is prolly from the gasket, or up top. A constant sound is prolly from the collector. The band clamps also have to be tight as hell for them to seal.
I had to keep rechecking mine for a little bit before they completely sealed.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 04:55 PM
  #4  
sunsetorang01TA's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Macungie PA
Default

im gonna try the sealer. i just tightened down all the bolts and shoved a bolt in the other air fitting. i can still hear a header leak and it sounds more constant. even at idle i can hear alittle whisper like air is escaping from somewhere. i might have to check the collector cuz i've had such a hassle with my headers. i had 2 get everything welded. so i dont think it could be the collectors with a weld job. it could be the o2 sensor fittings but we made sure those were in but not to tight because i heard you never wanna tighten those to much. so i dunno im gonna try the sealer and see.

thanks guys aprreciate it
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 07:02 PM
  #5  
01FormulaTA's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 26
From: H-town
Default

I have the exact same sound, I put it on ramps yesterday, let it cool down, started it and started feeling around and I found it, it was on my driver side header where it meets the y-pipe so I put the crank on the band clamp and its still there so tomorrow Im gonna try the aluminum foil gasket fix and see it that works....thats where I would check if I were you, mine was like a hissing/ticking sound that was very faint and I could only here it with the windows down.....
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 07:54 PM
  #6  
bigman's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Default

just a little advice. Put some exhauts cement on the pipe and clamp, then tighten and put some around the edges. It all comes off easily, but stops leaks from happening.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2006 | 01:59 PM
  #7  
sunsetorang01TA's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Macungie PA
Default

i gota find the leak first which im trying to do. i still think its the air fitting whoses cuz it sounds like its more up top. but ya ill look into that cement cuz i think im gonna need something to seal this cuz it just gets really annoying driving with a header leak.

thanks guys
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2006 | 03:19 PM
  #8  
Traitor's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: FL
Default

I'm in the same boat.

I got the race headers. I had a leak at the collector-y, sealed that with foil and band clamps, that cleaned the sound up alot.

That did'nt take care of a tick I hear though, it's only at idle and low rpms.

I can't decide if it is an exhaust leak or if my valvetrain racket is more pronounced with the headers. It's pretty loud though. I figure if it was an exhaust leak, it would get louder as the rpms increase right?

I feel your pain...chasing these noises down gets annoying as hell
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 11, 2006 | 03:48 PM
  #9  
lastcall190's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (36)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 4
From: NJ
Default

My collector connection is leaking kinda bad, since the TSP duals slide onto the collector a good bit, and the pacesetter collector is comparatively shorter... there you have it. I'm gonna try and fashion something from aluminum foil and/or RTV and see what happens.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2006 | 10:37 PM
  #10  
01blackbeast's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Warfordsburg, Pa
Default

I have the Pacesetter LT's as well, and I have the same ticking/hissing noise. If that sealer works, let me know what it is and where you got it.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:12 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE