morning, yall.

recently installed bad mab header, came with 2 gaskets, for the header to engine and to the dp. still gotta replace the dp to the catback gasket cuz its falling apart, but i got leaks for sure by the header

whenever i start the car, even it was running, turned off, then started again, i got mad leak sounds for atleast a minute and you can hear the leaks while i drive (got pedestrians lookin at me like i'm mexican ricer or something, not good )

so listen, installing the header was a pita for me as i didn't have a lift, and i don't wanna redo the head gasket cuz ive only head it on for like 2 weeks fml!!

____NOW TO THE QUESTION____

anyone got any input on the crap you buy at autozone to fix header gasket leaks? i don't WANT to do this, because i know cheap crap like that is a quick fix and not really a good thing to do, but just for now, till i have real money to fix everything?? Thanks for holding in there with me, peace.

 

just redo it the right way. try tightening the bolts down one more time

 

You should always re-tighten the bolts after a few heat cycles.

It's standard exhaust installation practice.

My Badmab header has been leak free since January

Fyi, the gaskests supplied with the header are garbage. Use the GM manifold to head gasket, and downpipe to manifold gasket. I used the header to head gasket that was supplied, and it seems like it is holding up just fine, but the downpipe to header gasket fell apart in 2 months.

 

I have had my fair experince messing with band aid fixes, custom gaskets, copper spray/rtv, You want a cure? Vband flange.

if its the block side leaking, just re toqure it, drive a week and re torque once more, many people are quick to blame the header but they only torque it once, it must go through a couple heat cylces before a final torquing.

 

OKOK yea i forgot i do need to retourque it, after all it seems like its getting worse every day...

uhh, how important are the torque specs? i know that if i want it perfect, obviously use torque but i dont have a torque wrench... i already replaced the header/dp flange gasket because i bent my cat in the process before (long story) but after bending it back i replaced that gasket.. maybe if retightneing header don't work i'll just have to sack up and do the gasket

 

its very important, Especially since your dealing with a aluminum block threads are not hard to strip, get yourself a nice 12in IN/Nm torque wrench, it will pay for itself, also follow the torque pattern.

 

 

just attached the same image lol

 

Great minds think alike

 

Copperseal.. It is a god send when it comes to leaks.