chasing exhaust leaks

[Dapper Dan]

I torqued my headers down and fixed that leak. Now I noticed my pass side collector is leaking too. My flanges appear to be bent, do you think I could heat them up and bend them back and install a new gasket? Or should I just live with it till I ever replace the system?

I think I'll be going back to stock manifolds at some point

[piecesparts]

The flanges are bending where you tighten up the bolts. There is no stopping that problem, I would suggest using a pair of collector gaskets on each side of the headers---(I like the Felpro gaskets--personally) and coat them with coppercoat sealer. Doubling up the gaskets tends to make up for the bent flanges and the coppercoat will allow the gaskets to meld into each other. My son's truck is presetnly done that way and it has lasted him for two years.

I also use the solid collector pieces that weld to the exhaust pipe---I cannot tell if that is what you have or do you have the pieces that has the floating ring on them. The one-piece collector adapters give a better mounting surface for the gaskets to seal against.

[GMC Guy]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

The flanges are bending where you tighten up the bolts. There is no stopping that problem, I would suggest using a pair of collector gaskets on each side of the headers---(I like the Felpro gaskets--personally) and coat them with coppercoat sealer. Doubling up the gaskets tends to make up for the bent flanges and the coppercoat will allow the gaskets to meld into each other. My son's truck is presetnly done that way and it has lasted him for two years.

I also use the solid collector pieces that weld to the exhaust pipe---I cannot tell if that is what you have or do you have the pieces that has the floating ring on them. The one-piece collector adapters give a better mounting surface for the gaskets to seal against.

x2
add a thick aluminum collector gasket like Percy's, or douple up regular gaskets. should seal it right up

[63chevyll]

i normaly will replace and weld new ones on, they dont seem to bend a s bad.

the aluminum seals seem to work well

[3r!c84]

i cant find the leak on mine eather i replace my gaskets too.but i feel no air coming out,but i can hear it in the truck


and this is not a coke aid lol

[datguysaL]

use a 3-4ft piece of hose to find your leak. hold one end to your ear and run the other end around and along the exhaust, youll hear it thru the hose.

[3r!c84]

ahhh smart idea!!

[datguysaL]

haha, im thinkin outside the box.. lol.. just some old tricks ive picked up along the way... lets us know how it works out...

[3r!c84]

will do,thanks

[63chevyll]

may sound stupid but i have dumped some ATF down carb before to find exhaust leaks, cover a broom with rag and hold handle in exhaust pipe just for a quick second.

gets rid of all bugs for miles too.

[FLEET72]

Originally Posted by 63chevyll

may sound stupid but i have dumped some ATF down carb before to find exhaust leaks, cover a broom with rag and hold handle in exhaust pipe just for a quick second.

gets rid of all bugs for miles too.

Don't try this in Cal. or someone will turn you in for a gross polluter!

http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/complaints/smoke.htm

That's why some people call it Kalifornia.

[spinem]

Originally Posted by 63chevyll

may sound stupid but i have dumped some ATF down carb before to find exhaust leaks, cover a broom with rag and hold handle in exhaust pipe just for a quick second.

gets rid of all bugs for miles too.

wow, that's savage.

....u need to:

1) Buy a new gasket
2) buy some copper instagasket
3) torque all bolts evenly at the same time.

goop the hell out of the gasket and both sides of the pipes and make a sandwich....
After u have it all tight run ur finger along the side and make a professional looking seal.

also, i hope you tightened ur headers by inside bolts to outer bolts. if not, too late.


THE MAIN CAUSE OF EXHAUST LEAKS IS.......... DRUM ROLL PLEASE......THE MOTOR!!!.... EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE ON SOFT MOUNTS, NO SOLID MOUNTS.... UNLESS EVERYTHING IS ONE BIG PICE OF WELDED METAL AND UR PUMPING OUT 1300 hp

[78chevstepside]

Make something like this.

[78chevstepside]

spray soapy water on pipe . Put on welding glove put hand over end of pipe. soapy buuble will find your leak

[spinem]

Originally Posted by 78chevstepside

Make something like this.

[54Caddy]

i cant find my leak either and i have damn stock manifolds ive replaced the donut gasket 3 times first two time killed it for about a month now the third time it didnt do anything, im going to take my to an exhaust shop and try to get those gasket less ball and flanges put on

[63chevyll]

oh yeah, i should have said "dont try this in CA"

well, maybe without the ATF someone can plug the exhaust and you can feel for leaks with the hose method

[Dapper Dan]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

I would suggest using a pair of collector gaskets on each side of the headers---(I like the Felpro gaskets--personally) and coat them with coppercoat sealer.

I will give this a try. Thanks alot!

Originally Posted by spinem

i hope you tightened ur headers by inside bolts to outer bolts. if not, too late.

Thanks for looking out! I did do it this way and got rid of that leak now I'm working my way back!

[STOCKISH]

I have found the best way to fix annoying more leaks at the collectors is to use 3 inch doughnut gaskets designed for stock manifolds in between the collector flanges. They are 3 inch inner diameter so no issue with restriction and they NEVER leak. I have done 5 or 6 trucks this way for myself and customers and have never had one leak. I also use regular exhaust manifold gaskets at the header to head connection and have never had one leak. The gaskets are the same size as the ports on the head so they work perfect. Think it sounds crazy, try it. Your leaks will be gone forever.

[3r!c84]

u mean the doughtnut cone looking things that cam out of my manifolds will fit?? how

[Mr.Scary]

I think I have a exahaust leak cause now my motor sounds like a lawn mower = ( LOL

[spinem]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

i cant find my leak either and i have damn stock manifolds ive replaced the donut gasket 3 times first two time killed it for about a month now the third time it didnt do anything, im going to take my to an exhaust shop and try to get those gasket less ball and flanges put on

that place off main st is pretty cheap... mad mans muffler i think? could be mistaken.

[spinem]

Originally Posted by Dapper Dan

I will give this a try. Thanks alot!



Thanks for looking out! I did do it this way and got rid of that leak now I'm working my way back!

good to hear, yes, reverse order will bunch that gasket and before you know it, you wont have a exhaust leak, youll have a dragster.

[STOCKISH]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

u mean the doughtnut cone looking things that cam out of my manifolds will fit?? how

Would originally fit between the manifold and down pipe. Go to the local muffler shop and ask for 3 inch doughnut gaskets. Put them in between the manifold flanges and bolt them down. You'll be glad you did.

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by datguysaL

haha, im thinkin outside the box.. lol.. just some old tricks ive picked up along the way... lets us know how it works out...

found the leakS ,,there in the welds on the collector(not the header part) there is one pin hole on each side