getting a better seal on header flanges

[jekquistk5]

Any one know any tricks or better gaskets to use on header flanges so they seal better. My driver side has a tiny leak, and you can barely hear it. I normally wouldn't care but that is the side that has my o2 sensor, so I need to tighten it up. Standard 3 bolt flanges, hoooker headers.

 

[jtrapani]

There's a chance that the flange is warped and you may not be able to get a good seal again. how thick is the flange?

 

[dhcomp]

You can use some of that ultra copper sealant stuff on the mating portion.

 

[odin]

Mr Gasket makes these killer aluminum gaskets that Ive been using with zero leaks.

 

[onetonbb74]

get a scrap piece of exhaust that fits inside the collector flange area perfectly, and tack weld it inside the collector so its sticking out, then slide the exhaust over the new tacked piece sticking out and bolt the collector. the new piece will block the 3 bolt flange seam and will not blow out the gasket.

 

[pauly383]

Get Percy's dead soft gaskets . Thick and malleable , will seal well . Then get a good fastener that has a locking feature

Got tired of that two A-bodies ago LOL

 

[Keitha]

I recently switched to Remflex gaskets and they work perfectly. They are 1/8" carbon sandwich wich compresses to 1/16" when installed. They claim they can withstand 3,000* tempuratures and because they keep constant tension on the bolts due to the compression they resist the fasteners backing out and loosening.
I paid $29 for a set for my small block (header to head gasket) and they are well worth it. And they are made in Washington USA!
http://www.remflex.com/

 

[pauly383]

I recently switched to Remflex gaskets and they work perfectly. They are 1/8" carbon sandwich wich compresses to 1/16" when installed. They claim they can withstand 3,000* tempuratures and because they keep constant tension on the bolts due to the compression they resist the fasteners backing out and loosening.
I paid $29 for a set for my small block and they are well worth it.
http://www.remflex.com/

Cool , I'll look into that when the current A-body gets closer to leaving my garage

 

[dyeager535]

Interesting! Those guys aren't too far from my place.

 

[YZEATER]

cut the flanges off and slip the exhaust directly over the header end.

 

[scrappyk5]

mine were leaking, i just put two mr. gaskets on each side, sealed up tight. good to go.

 

[jekquistk5]

I'll try the double gasket see if that works, and I may try the exhaust pipe inside the header collector trick if that double gasket doesn't work. Thanks guys!

 

[tymbom]

If you can get to the ends of the header collector and head pipes easy enough, I've had good luck with running a big flat file across them before I put them on. Just enough to make the connection smooth. My Chevy Luv with a 400 SBC didn't even have collector gaskets and it didn't leak.

 

[82355]

I run a flat washer on each bolt between the two flanges, keeps them from warping.

Martin

 

[dhcomp]

If you can get to the ends of the header collector and head pipes easy enough, I've had good luck with running a big flat file across them before I put them on. Just enough to make the connection smooth. My Chevy Luv with a 400 SBC didn't even have collector gaskets and it didn't leak.

You had a luv wiht a 400 sb? Holy

 

[tymbom]

Yep, it was so low I had to lift up on the bumper to get a jack under it. It was a little go kart. I steered around corners with the throttle