header gaskets

[Watazz]

Alright so I've gotten sick of the header leaks from my pacesetters, I'm going to replace the gaskets and spray the ball flanges with copper spray (or use ultra copper RTV__which ever you guys think is better). I know that abbotts are the best however I am going to do this tomorrow and I do not want to wait for the abbott gaskets.

SO that being said I know ssms says that the felpro gaskets are fine if they are sprayed and they are easier to install since they are slotted, he has had some luck with them hoever it seems that noone else has. So I am assuming that the dealer gaskets are the way to go, would I be correct in this assumption? In not please recommend a gasket that is easy to find locally.

[Watazz]

Re: header gaskets

I guess doubling up on the paper pacesetters and the factory gaskets has yielded some results also.

[espey_16]

Re: header gaskets

I've doubled the pacesetter gaskets before and didn't have any leaks, now I'm using felpro gaskets and I don't have any leaks except for my egr gasket. Didn't use any copper spray either.

[ssms5411]

Re: header gaskets

I use Fel Pros and copper spray , works great.

[Watazz]

Re: header gaskets

I guess I'll give it a try

[Watazz]

Re: header gaskets

Never mind it's not my gaskets its those **** ball flanges I even put some ultra copper on them tonight and the passengers side is still leaking wtf!?!?
I let it sit for an hour to dry and when I started it was still leaking. Maybe Ill adjust the flanges and retighten tomorrow.

[Skinny]

Re: header gaskets

It's been a good while since I've had a 3.8 exhaust manifold/header off, but if the GM factory gaskets are the multi-layer steel kind (like the factory LS1 gaskets) then use those. 99.9% of all aftermarket gaskets aren't worth their weight as garbage.

If the GM gaskets are the pressed graphite crap, then good luck. :bs:

[Watazz]

Re: header gaskets

well honestly at this point I'm tired of screwing with it. I honstely dont give **** if it leaks or not anymore. The car runs and it runs strong, I really dont have time to mess with small crap.

[zlexiss]

Re: header gaskets

Ultra copper on the flange and ball joints worked well for me.

I also got the deformed thread locking nuts on the ball joints so they won't back out.

[mousemonster1232]

I am right here with you on the ball flange thing! Mine has been leaking ever since I got the headers put on. I just haven't had time to lift the car and try to back out the ever-so-tight nuts because I was trying to fix the leak. Ha. I want v bands or something to that extent but do not want to have to remove the headers to do that...

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

[Watazz]

Re: header gaskets

Well it seems that the leak is much less apparent after the car warms up. Im begining to thing that the leak is actually coming from the part where the primaries meet the collector, it looks like there is a hole there but its dark outside so I cant really tell. As for the bolts I got the locking nuts also, I also replaced the dinky little 3/8 bolts and nuts with 1/2 and stacked washers on the top and bottom for more thread.

I emailed pacesetter but I doubt they are going to do anything for me even though the headers are still under warranty. And the money I would spend on the shipping cost I would rather invest in a set of OBX stainless headers and vbands.

[whitdog54]

Re: header gaskets

I used abbott racing head gaskets. worked great