“What header gaskets?”- NEED ADVICE ON LEAKING HEADERS! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ls3 Grenadier · 10-18-2021, 12:08 AM

I have some Manzo stainless steel headers going on like 3 years. Overall quite decent build quality for some “Amazon” headers. However, I can’t get them to stop leaking at the header gaskets (like bad).

changed from oem gaskets to Felpro graphite gaskets and it ran great for about A WEEK before gradually getting worse and leaking bad again.

Warped header flanges? Or am I missing some supporting exhaust hangers causing constant pressure pulling down on them?

Any real advice is appreciated

Badbubba · 10-18-2021, 02:16 AM

Oem has worked fine on my ARHs. A warped flange will definitely cause a leak or blown gasket, depends on material. A machine shop can level it out. Get a really good straight edge or maybe glass and use a feeler Guage. Shop had to grind down my '47 IH KB1 cast exhaust manifold.

CamaroCracka · 10-18-2021, 08:03 AM

OEM are the best gaskets if the flanges are flat. Mahle makes almost the same thing for half the price. If the flange is warped, you can try Remflex or look on Summit for ones that are thicker. If the flanges are warped, the real solution is new headers.

SSEssence · 10-18-2021, 09:02 AM

OEMs always.

Black_SS10 · 10-18-2021, 09:33 AM

OEM MLS gaskets. As mentioned before, I would check the flange for warps. You can have them milled flat at a machine shop.

KaBoom1701 · 10-18-2021, 09:43 AM

OEM gaskets only...

I'd also put a large straight edge on you header to engine block surface and double check for any warps or surface irregularities. Cheap Amazon headers maybe be to blame here.

ls3 Grenadier · 10-18-2021, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black_SS10

OEM MLS gaskets. As mentioned before, I would check the flange for warps. You can have them milled flat at a machine shop.

Yeah that seems like the best way to know for sure. I can almost guarantee they are warped now that i think about it. the graphite gasket looks more compressed on the far edges than in the middle.

ls3 Grenadier · 10-18-2021, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaBoom1701

OEM gaskets only...

I'd also put a large straight edge on you header to engine block surface and double check for any warps or surface irregularities. Cheap Amazon headers maybe be to blame here.

Definitely going to check with a straight edge.
I certainly don’t disagree that them being Amazon headers could be the problem. But do headers typically warp during manufacturing/welding or while on the car? (They could have very well been leaking the day they got installed).

Trying to gauge whether I should just mill these or buy new ones.

CamaroCracka · 10-18-2021, 10:15 AM

Ya, MLS won't do much for you if the flange is warped. Back in the day, we used to soak gaskets to get more crush out of them. Gaskets have come a long way since then.

I tried milling my turbo flange, but they had to take too much material off and I ended up buying a new one. For about $300 you can get some Speed Engineering headers, which is probably your best bet unless you want to invest in a really good set.

ls3 Grenadier · 10-18-2021, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badbubba

Oem has worked fine on my ARHs. A warped flange will definitely cause a leak or blown gasket, depends on material. A machine shop can level it out. Get a really good straight edge or maybe glass and use a feeler Guage. Shop had to grind down my '47 IH KB1 cast exhaust manifold.

How much did they charge if you don’t mind me asking?

Badbubba · 10-18-2021, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ls3 Grenadier

How much did they charge if you don’t mind me asking?

That cast manifold was a combination, bolted together, intake and exhaust for a straight 6 cylinder. $75 total. Are you leaking from both sides? If the flanges are thin or cheaper material, it will probably warp again. If that's your problem. Also, did you torque down the bolts working from the inner to outer? Re-torque after a few heat cycles?

Bigdumogre · 10-18-2021, 07:12 PM

Get some Texas speed headers and swap them out. They are the best bang for the buck and use GM gaskets.

ls3 Grenadier · 10-18-2021, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badbubba

That cast manifold was a combination, bolted together, intake and exhaust for a straight 6 cylinder. $75 total. Are you leaking from both sides? If the flanges are thin or cheaper material, it will probably warp again. If that's your problem. Also, did you torque down the bolts working from the inner to outer? Re-torque after a few heat cycles?

Both sides leak but passenger side is pretty bad..
I was a complete noob

I dont remember the sequence I torqued them on.

Material is t304 stainless.

I really don't want to spend money on them if theres a high chance of them re-warping.

1JEWLDSSRS · 10-19-2021, 08:55 AM

OEM gaskets all the way. And as stated above, if the flanges are made of cheaper material and are thin, they WILL warp again over time if you do try to level them because you will be making the flanges even thinner than they were. This used to happen "back in the day" with bargain headers with thin mounting flanges. Good quality headers now have a pretty thick flange material and won't warp. My Stainless Power ones have been on the car 9 years now and have been off and on several times. Good luck.

10-18-2021, 12:08 AM	#1
ls3 Grenadier Drives: 2011 camaro 2SS Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Texas Posts: 25	“What header gaskets?”- NEED ADVICE ON LEAKING HEADERS! I have some Manzo stainless steel headers going on like 3 years. Overall quite decent build quality for some “Amazon” headers. However, I can’t get them to stop leaking at the header gaskets (like bad). changed from oem gaskets to Felpro graphite gaskets and it ran great for about A WEEK before gradually getting worse and leaking bad again. Warped header flanges? Or am I missing some supporting exhaust hangers causing constant pressure pulling down on them? Any real advice is appreciated

10-18-2021, 02:16 AM	#2
Badbubba GrINned & JUICEd Drives: 15STI, 10Expy, 10 2SS/RS M6, 47KB1 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,247	Oem has worked fine on my ARHs. A warped flange will definitely cause a leak or blown gasket, depends on material. A machine shop can level it out. Get a really good straight edge or maybe glass and use a feeler Guage. Shop had to grind down my '47 IH KB1 cast exhaust manifold. __________________ GPI SS3 Cam & stuff,N.O. Plate(dedicated fuel tank,progressive,fuel hose upgrade,remote opener,heater,console switches),LNC2000,CTAP,ARH 1 7/8" LTs/gutted cats/X pipe/mufflers,Jet Hot coated LTs,GPI HPT Tune,CAI, Scoop,Rx Catch Can,Gates heater hose relocation, Remote clutch & auto brake res,Metco loop,Momentum Tunnel Brace,TSW Nurb 18",555 & 05,Pfadt trailing arms & toe rods,Autometer WB,Fesler Pillar Pod,LED strips (int),Lloyds floor & trunk mats,LED DRL/front turn & license plate,DRL harness,VLEDs tail lights,Plasticoat Bowties. Ord: Oct 5, 2009 Rec: Nov 19, 2009 13.17@112.6 stock

10-18-2021, 08:03 AM	#3
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,736	OEM are the best gaskets if the flanges are flat. Mahle makes almost the same thing for half the price. If the flange is warped, you can try Remflex or look on Summit for ones that are thicker. If the flanges are warped, the real solution is new headers. __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

10-18-2021, 09:02 AM	#4
SSEssence Instagram: Sangstah Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Buena Park, CA. Posts: 2,803 View My Garage	OEMs always. __________________ 2019 SS 1LE - "CaSSandra" 2014 SS - "AleSSandra - Sold" 94 Z28 - Sold Follow the build https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612717

10-18-2021, 09:33 AM	#5
Black_SS10 SomeguyK Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: FL Posts: 1,947	OEM MLS gaskets. As mentioned before, I would check the flange for warps. You can have them milled flat at a machine shop. __________________ TMS 427, Dart iron Block, Forged assembly, Frankenstien heads, AGP TT 62/62 BB turbo's, AGP/Fore triple fuel system, Tilton clutch, Holley 1 7/8 shorties, Technostalgia tail lights,Oracle, Aeroforce, MGW shifter,Flowmaster, Pegasus subframe bushings,BMR trailing & toe arms,Z28 UCA bushings,Zl1 rear sway bar,Prothane,BMR,Goodridge brake lines,Ridetech HQ coilovers,3.91,Trutrac,billet caps,DSS axles,HE offest,built TR6060,1LE diffuser,Havoc spoiler,SSclones,20in MRR 017, Pirelli P Zero, Nitto NT555RII More to come.

10-18-2021, 09:43 AM	#6
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	OEM gaskets only... I'd also put a large straight edge on you header to engine block surface and double check for any warps or surface irregularities. Cheap Amazon headers maybe be to blame here. __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

10-18-2021, 10:15 AM	#9
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,736	Ya, MLS won't do much for you if the flange is warped. Back in the day, we used to soak gaskets to get more crush out of them. Gaskets have come a long way since then. I tried milling my turbo flange, but they had to take too much material off and I ended up buying a new one. For about $300 you can get some Speed Engineering headers, which is probably your best bet unless you want to invest in a really good set. __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

10-18-2021, 07:12 PM	#12
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,434	Get some Texas speed headers and swap them out. They are the best bang for the buck and use GM gaskets. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!

10-19-2021, 08:55 AM	#14
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,460	OEM gaskets all the way. And as stated above, if the flanges are made of cheaper material and are thin, they WILL warp again over time if you do try to level them because you will be making the flanges even thinner than they were. This used to happen "back in the day" with bargain headers with thin mounting flanges. Good quality headers now have a pretty thick flange material and won't warp. My Stainless Power ones have been on the car 9 years now and have been off and on several times. Good luck. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.