Blown header gasket already

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bhm1712
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Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:24 pm

>:(

So the dreaded header gasket blowing has already bitten me. I did tighten the bolts several times after fitting them and driving. It's my passenger side middle port that's started to blow. Just noticed it when fixing my wrap today. Can hear a faint tick and feel the gas pulsing out at idle.

Can the gaskets be changed without removing the entire header??
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by SUPERCHARGEDGTA » Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:00 pm

if you remove all the bolts you should be able to lever them back to get the old gasket out and a new one in
surprised they have gone already have you tried retightening them?

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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:15 pm

SUPERCHARGEDGTA wrote:if you remove all the bolts you should be able to lever them back to get the old gasket out and a new one in
surprised they have gone already have you tried retightening them?

Not yet I'll try that either tomorrow or Monday. I can't believe they have loosened off after 7 days since I last did it but then again I did 350 miles yesterday in it at 80+ most of the way!!!

I seem to remember there is one bolt which cannot be removed until the header is off - you have to loosen the bolt and then the flange has a slotted hole in it to allow the header to be moved forwards and off. Then you can remove the bolt after the header is off. That's will be a bummer if that's the case.

I'm also surprised if it has blown so soon .
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by banker » Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:42 pm

I feel your pain, fortunately I was able to replace without removing headers. Got it down to twenty minutes after so much practice. Go for the copper ones :thumb:
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:02 pm

yes i will go for the copper ones next time as advised by you before! typical me for just forgetting it and doing it with the hedman ones.

ill still try and tighten first although im not hopeful.
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by SUPERCHARGEDGTA » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:26 pm

had to tighten mine after a couple of hundred miles, but fine now after 700 miles

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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:29 pm

damn headers. Cant beat cast iron manifolds for stuff like fitment and longevity. Just a shame they dont make the horses like tubes!
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:32 pm

kev 190164 wrote:I have these for mine . http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/s ... make/buick

I doubt they would work on a 400 Pontiac. You would be unable to fit them to the central port bolts due to space, nor would an allen key fit in the gap available to tighten them up. A socket is a no go - only a cut down spanner about 1 inch in length is good enough to fit in, and then its 1/8 of a turn each time!!

Im guessing the exhaust runners on the Buick are completely different to the Pontiac engine.
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Sun Apr 20, 2014 10:23 pm

Right I've had a good look tonight - it's my fault I believe - one bolt was very loose on the central ports. I may have missed it? :-/ Last time I tightened them.

I've retightened it but it's still blowing. Looks like I've burnt the gasket away.

Here comes the pain in the bum of a job of replacing it. Or maybe exhaust paste and squeeze it into the gap???
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by SUPERCHARGEDGTA » Sun Apr 20, 2014 10:37 pm

exhaust paste would work fine
probably for at least ten minutes if you are lucky ;)

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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Sun Apr 20, 2014 10:55 pm

I Hate Cars!

New gasket it is then! Ill get some copper ones ordered, and prep my dad for another day of wrestling with headers. Not replacing the other side though as thats fine....
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Sun Apr 20, 2014 10:58 pm

Do i seem to have a recollection of somebody saying remflex copper gaskets? or was it the seal4 good ones?
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by banker » Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:29 pm

Can't remember the brand i used i'm afraid
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:38 pm

No problem !, seems as though people recommend Percy's dead soft or seal4good so I'll probably try one of the 2. Although a lot of forums seem to favour mr gasket paper ones for the crush they give ? Copper makes sense to me not paper.
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Mon Apr 21, 2014 10:54 pm

well i just almost ordered some Remflex gaskets - supposed to be the best for sealing any dodgy flanges or hard to seal headers - $99 shipping! no way! that seems silly when i can get a fan shround for $60 shipping!
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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by Terry-D » Tue Apr 22, 2014 5:18 am

My drivers side manifold is blowing very bad the original heat shild is still in place nothing has been undone since it was made could be bit of a bugger :oldevil:

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Re: Blown header gasket already

Post by bhm1712 » Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:39 am

Terry-D wrote:My drivers side manifold is blowing very bad the original heat shild is still in place nothing has been undone since it was made could be bit of a bugger :oldevil:

I would bet on it being a bugger! My old headers had been on 5 years and they were a bugger to get the bolts out after that short time in comparison. Plenty of WD40 on the bolts several days leading upto doing the job is recommend! And have some easy outs at the ready incase some snap ! Might be handy to buy a 3/8 unc bottom tap as well which we didn't have to begin with. Several threads needed chasing out.
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