This is topic leaking header gasket, in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by saleenmomo89 (Member # 3251) on :
 
i just got new bbk shorty headers about 3 months ago, now i have a leak on the front passinger side of the header, i tried tighting the bolts but that didnt seem to help.
Can I replace the head gasket without to much trouble?
 

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Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
The easiest way to do this is to remove all the smog injection stuff and spark plugs. Untighten the header that leaking. Keep it in place though. Rip the old gasket out. Get a new fel pro gasket. Take all the bolts out except the two end bolts holding the header on. Slot the new gasket to slide over the end bolts.This is the quickest possible fix. If it was my car I would pull the header back out and clean the mounting surface on the head. #1 main reason why headers leak on cars I've seen. The wrong bolts are used. If you use the stock BBK bolts they are not long enough to run lock washers with. I always replace the bolts with longer ones which allow for lock washers.
 

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Posted by saleenmomo89 (Member # 3251) on :
 
thanks Mike,
ill try that, where is the best place to get the gasket?
 

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Posted by DropTopFox (Member # 1689) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by saleenmomo89:
thanks Mike,
ill try that, where is the best place to get the gasket?

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Kragen or any parts store near you. Stage 8 locking header bolts They will run you $40 but well worth it cause you don't want this to keep happening
 

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Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
I'd be suprised if you could get a fel pro at a kragens. Maybe so these days. If their not there just order them from summit. Their pretty fast. I honestly don't like stage 8 bolts. I used to see them come into the shop all the time leaking and lose. I think they can be installed properly but what happens is that you have a washer that has to be lined up to slip over the bolt head. Sometimes people will get the bolts tight and than back them off a touch for this washer to sit right. I've even seen a couple of cars the actual stage 8 locking washers melt. I know some people love the bolt kit from stage 8 and have success with it. The set up I really like to use is one I found at Apex when I was there. It's basically the same style bolts that come in the BBK kit but they are longer. Our nuts and bolts guy there at the shop turned us onto these specialty washers that they sold. There are called sure-locks. These are the same washers used to hold things together on jack hammers. Really neat hardware and I've never seen them back off yet.
 

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Posted by saleenmomo89 (Member # 3251) on :
 
where would i get those mike,
 

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Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
Got to go to Apex for those.
 

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