Header bolts, Gaskets, Exhaust leaks, oh my!

[ba123]

Ben, it is a serious PITA to attempt torqueing those bolts with the engine out let alone installed.
Since you have it together, should you go through this same nonsense. Have the header flanged checked for flatness.
I had a problem with my BCB headers and took the to the machine shop and they weren't flat.
Now the gasket makes up irregularity, to a point. But why not start off good and flat from the get go.
I usually had to modify a wrench and/or socket to fit in the tight places but still have no idea if I was at torque or not.
I prefer the wire locks, go through a few cycles, re-torque and the wire lock it down.

If I have one more leak then I'll do that but I think I'm ok now. I think this did it. I never went back over with the previous two gaskets. The first one wasn't thick at all, but I guess it has to do with the big thick flange.

And it didn't start leaking right away on the past attempts either. The first one took a while. Second gasket didn't take long but it was clearly wrong for the head. I think the inside bottom edge of the gasket was at the bottom bottom edge of the mating surface edge so there wasn't anything there to seal against.

This Remflex seems great. After watching how easily they break. I was a little nervous getting it into those tight spots and through bolts and header and on. I really like the way the Felpro has open end bolt holes so you can just slip it on, but oh well.

Should be done.

Will post when I know.

Need to swap an AC compressor fitting for more steering shaft space I think and then hook the exhaust back up to the headers and will be able to test.

 

[ba123]

Finally started it up and within a couple minutes have a small tick.

So annoying.

I need to get it to temp but will try to retighten and pray.

 

[ba123]

It got worse so I killed it. Fack!

 

[ba123]

There's a chance it's coming from the collector due to the routing change I made and had to connect the header last and angle was noticeable not perfect at the header.

Gotta figure out a way to be sure now since I could hear it right at startup after tightening to 25 lbs. It should've stopped for at least a few seconds.

I tightened them as much as I could and no change so maybe not the collector. I'm officially frustrated. This was the last thing before driveshaft and prep to drive.

But on the other hand, tightening the header bolts to 25lbs didn't make any difference or minimal diff either.

 

[bronco italiano]

Which header Ben?
Gasket brand?
Did you go v-band clamp at the collector? Gasket? Ball flange?
We will figure this out Bro.

 

[ba123]

Scott Drake Headers, new.
Remflex gasket, now and third gasket attempt.

Collectors are ball connectors. All the clamp are nice stainless band clamps.

I just tightened up the drivers side only and no change which coincides with my recording I made. Trying the pass side now.

 

[ba123]

Nope, still there.

Maybe I'll tighten to 30 and see if any different?

 

[ba123]

Here's a video if it works. Certainly louder on the pass side.

 

[ba123]

The more and more I record, the more it seems to be coming from the front of the engine.

On the very slight chance this isn't an exhaust leak what could it be? All pulleys are new.

FUCK!!!! This whole time I did not even have an exhaust leak. I did that for NOTHING!

It was the stupid belt that was coming off. Got stretched and squeaking. I got a new one and hadn't put it on yet.

That sounded exactly like an exhaust leak to me.

 

[m_m70]

The more and more I record, the more it seems to.be coming from the front of the engine.

On the very slight chance this isn't an exhaust leak what could it be? All pulleys are new.

FUCK!!!! This whole time I did not even have an exhaust leak. I did that for NOTHING!

It was the stupid belt that was coming off. Got stretched and squeaking. I got a new one and hadn't out it on yet.

That sounded exactly like an exhaust leak to me.

Well at least you got it now.

I started a long time ago that if I have a noise or vibration, I pull the belts (I run old school v-belts) off and see if it changes anything. My original problem was a vibration at a certain RPM.....I changed so many things chasing that vibration. Turned out it was my fan!

Glad you found your issue!

 

[bronco italiano]

The more and more I record, the more it seems to.be coming from the front of the engine.

On the very slight chance this isn't an exhaust leak what could it be? All pulleys are new.

FUCK!!!! This whole time I did not even have an exhaust leak. I did that for NOTHING!

It was the stupid belt that was coming off. Got stretched and squeaking. I got a new one and hadn't put it on yet.

That sounded exactly like an exhaust leak to me.

EB's have the amazing gift of bringing out every emotion that exists.

 

[nvrstuk]

I just popped one out and measured how deep the hole is with the header flange and it’s about 1-1/4”. Wish I’d looked before but seems like all these bolts are too short and too much stress on a short length to threads, which is even more dumb cause 3/4” is even what comes with these darn headers.

This 1.0” with a 12-point 5/16 should rock…
https://arp-bolts.com/kits/arpkit-detail.php?RecordID=2037

Gonna try this.

Glad you figured it out- frustrating but FIXED! congrats.


I measure the depth of the header bolt holes whether they are TF or ARP, measure the flanges and then always buy longer hex head bolts and cut them to length so they will be within 1/16" at full torque with the gasket, flange, lock washer. Always dry run each hole and measure it since not ALL the holes are always the same depth- close but not exact.

I have several allen wrenches with the ends cut to different lengths so I always have one that fits all bolts. The ps rear bolt sucks. Dead soft gaskets have always worked for me.

 

[nvrstuk]

Remflex gaskets and 1" stage 8 hardware and done.

1" bolts aren't long enough for a 3/8" flange, 1/16- 1/8" gasket. So you only have 1/2" or less thread engagement in an aluminum head.

 

[ba123]

I measured the holes, measured the flanges and then bought longer hex head bolts and cut them so they would be within 1/16" at full torque with the gasket. I have several allen wrenches with the ends cut to different lengths so I one that fits all bolts. The ps rear bolt sucks. Dead soft gaskets have always worked for me.

Is the head flat? How warped is the header flang

You missed my last post...the most recent was not an exhaust leak.

Was my damn belt that got stretched from my poorly spaced drivers side brscket.

 

[nvrstuk]

You missed my last post...the most recent was not an exhaust leak.

Was my damn belt that got stretched from my poorly spaced drivers side brscket.

I did miss it then added to it. Glad you can move on!

 

[badandy73]

1" bolts aren't long enough for a 3/8" flange, 1/16- 1/8" gasket. So you only have 1/2" or less thread engagement in an aluminum head.

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree, been running that length bolt with 3/8" flange WH/JBA shorties for several years now with no issues. 1/2- 9/16" of thread engagement with the gasket compressed.

 

[ba123]

In @nvrstuk 's defense, they do seem short, and I did consider measuring and being exact however, since these headers were supplied with 3/4" bolts, I felt the 1" was plenty.

 

[nvrstuk]

I can agree to disagree no problem.

I have just seen in my lifetime enough friends or seen enough examples of just long enough bolts used on alum heads to know that goingto the extra effort to have more thread engagement is worth it.

Experience from what I've seen

 

[ba123]

So the sound was gone after I swapped the belt. I've run it a good amount and now I have a sound again and sounds the same.

Maybe these belts suck? It's a Goodyear belt!

What are you guys running on Explorer front dress that you're happy with?

Not sure that's it, but WTH!

 

[36Fan]

Are you sure thats not the alternator making that chirping sound? Sounds exactly like my old Alt that I just swapped out.

Gates HD green belts