Header issues

[64Belvedere]

Am I the only one to ever have trouble with Heddman Headers on my 64 Belv with a 400? Brand new headers and Copper gaskets and I cant get them to stop leaking. The old ones started to leak after I took them off to pull the motor, and when I put it together they leaked. So I bought a new set and new copper gaskets and the same thing. Any Ideas before they have a meeting with Mr. Dewalt the Sawzall.

 

[1toolguy]

Switch to Remglex carbon gaskets, mine haven't leaked in over two years and I've never had to retighten the bolts.

 

[Red63440]

Switch to Remglex carbon gaskets, mine haven't leaked in over two years and I've never had to retighten the bolts.

Tried to do a search fopr them and nothing came up...have a link?

 

[64Belvedere]

I believe you are refering to Remflex? They are about 90 bucks CDN a pair here where I live. Lot of coin for a pair of gaskets.

 

[Red63440]

Thanks for the info....about 43.00 and change here plus shipping..

 

[64Belvedere]

Yep another benefit to living south of the border. Costs a bunch to get that stuff across. I usually ship stuff to my sister in Mass, but I wanted the gaskets sooner. Oh well. I'll dig into it on the weekend.

 

[wedgie]

Over the years, I have had bad luck with header gaskets. However, in my case, plain old exhaust manifold gaskets from my local parts store seem to last forever. Cheap too. Did I mention cheap?

 

[shag766]

Over the years, I have had bad luck with header gaskets. However, in my case, plain old exhaust manifold gaskets from my local parts store seem to last forever. Cheap too. Did I mention cheap?

cheap is a very harsh word. i refer to it as "reasonably priced"

 

[Cranky]

A lot of times headers have a somewhat rough gasket surface which can sometimes be harsh on gaskets. I usually take a straightedge and check them and use a long flat file to help smooth it out if needed. Many times, that's all they need but some need some extra welding in order to build up the gasket surface to make it a bit wider.

 

[67 B-body]

Over the years, I have had bad luck with header gaskets. However, in my case, plain old exhaust manifold gaskets from my local parts store seem to last forever. Cheap too. Did I mention cheap?

Thats pretty much all I've ever used as well.... I had them burn out too once in a while if I don't have everything just right, but the 60 dollar gasket would have burned out just the same!
:headbang:

 

[Sonny Black]

I had that headache once, tried everything!...."leakers" sounds like heck and cannot fix?
the fix= I bought NEW headers ...it works! no leaks!
BTW: are your headers used?

 

[64Belvedere]

Nope brand new ones. The perf ahop guy here tells me that sometimes the embossments on copper gaskets don't fit exactly as they should. I have the paper ones that came with the headers still hanging in the shop. Gonna try them tommorow night. Hopefully that will sort it out.

 

[Red63440]

I think if you read the directions that came with the headers they tell you to use only their gaskets with copper sealer.

 

[perfweld]

Seperate the tubes from the flange, cut the strap out of the middle. Then surface each tube individually. If they have a weld on collector and you cant seperate the tubes, give up and buy a nice set of headers, remember you get what you pay for.

Mark Lelchook
Performance Welding
Racing Headers

 

[Sonny Black]

I use the paper gaskets

 

[64Belvedere]

The driver side is hitting the starter stopping it from tightening properly. Going to a shop tomorrow to get that sorted as well as a few more little things. Driving season is pretty much over here anyway. Soon be time to put it in storage and get the sled out.

 

[Dodge 330]

I had a ridge on a pair of 452 heads that interfered with the bottom of the flange on a pair of Walker headers.

Fortunately I mocked up everything on the engine stand to make sure they fit or I, more than likely, wouldn't have seen the interference in the car.

Five minutes with an angle grinder and the problem was fixed!

Ran them thousands of miles with paper gaskets and never had a single header leak.

 

[Big Jim]

I used to run stock gaskets with a little hi-temp silicon on both sides. Always separated flanges and made sure they were flat. Just let the silicon set up overnight. Never had a problem leak.

 

[383man]

Do they look like these ? I have never had any leaks with these Hedmans and I use a mini starter. I use Mr Gasket header gaskets. Ron

 

[harleydodgeman]

As others have said, check the surface! I have had to do both before on a set of headers to get them to seal. I bought a brand new set of hedman headers just like 383man has for my 64 fury, 440 w/power steering and mini starter. Even with the mini starter, i had to heat up the one tube and do a little tapping to make the header swing in. Also, I checked the flanges with a file and straight edge and had to build one or two of the surfaces up and grind them down flat to match the others. Make sure that the surface where each tube seals actually matches the gasket you are using. My gaskets were a little big is spots, so i made the flange match. Good luck