Gasket leak!
 

Hey everyone!

Do any of you have any recomendations to fix my gasket leak? I currently have Borla UEL headers, the leak is there, any specific gasket I should order or what should my next move be? The shop went ahead and installed the headers without the proper fitting gasket. Maybe that’s the issue? Obviously I’m new to all this car stuff and would appreacite any tips/ help

Thanks,

Eddie

Get new gaskets. Look up Grimmspeed and get their gaskets and see if that resolves your issue.

There are 3 gaskets on a header. 2 that go to the heads, and one that connects to the overpipe. If they didn't replace any, then you may want to do all 3.

And find a new shop!

Also consider throwing the Borla shit away.

Someone recently mentioned that as well. Do you have a recommendation for a solid UEL header?

JDL
Tomei
Gruppe-S


The first ones that come to mind

Ace.

Gruppe-S if money is burning a hole in your pocket. 95% of what the Ace header does at almost 1/4 of the price.
Sorry but, spending almost $2k for a header on a $12-15k car is not giving the best advice to somebody who doesn't know tons about cars.
Best advice, just get the proper gasket and keep the Borla header.

@edrokone - there ya go.

This is not rocket surgery, people have been bolting exhaust manifolds to heads for over a 100 years without them leaking.


humfrz

Well, my great great great great grandfather bolted the manifold onto his Brontosaurus with just some Pterodactyl "grease" before longer than 100 years ago.
Maybe the shop in question was just using dated methods of transportation repair service?

Welp, maybe his mechanic did the best he could with the tools he had - :iono:


humfrz

Yeah I recommend grimmspeed gaskets. I have gruppe s header. Great quality. They give you a shipping discount if you live in California too. It was like a $10 or $15 discount I think.
I see you are in la, meaning you probably can't work on your car (no garage, not allowed to, ect). There are many shops in the la area that are well known. If you need help finding one, shoot me a PM.

If he has a hammer, he can make a gasket.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lsn6B6RsNQ[/ame]


"But what can I do if it's not cut already and I don't have my purse handy to hit it with?!!?!"

Old school. Dad taught me that trick when I was maybe 10. Works great. Don't even need a hammer. Can just pick up a stone.

I'm on numerous AMC and Jeep Facebook groups, and it's always funny to me when people get all bent out of shape and panic because the pre-cut gaskets they buy don't line up properly to their 30 or 40 year old parts. It's such a simple thing just to keep some gasket paper on hand and go for the hammer. It's too simple for people to believe it until they see it.

Since this thread was pretty basic to begin with and was thoroughly answered in the first response, let's change the subject. Here's how you use a hammer at the other end of the gasket's life:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VC8ldesvrY[/ame]

I have always had gasket paper at the ready. It's up there with the proverbial duct tape and baling wire. These are excellent hacks to share. :cheers:

Maybe this should now be an old school hacks thread. Here's how to use a candle to unstick bolts:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qqMXXGgFQg[/ame]

hmmmm - I haven't tried the wax trick, but I'm thinking that the heat is the trick part - :iono:


humfrz

"Five minutes of waxing and it comes right out."

I've never had luck with propane or MAPP, only acetylene, so I'm inclined to buy in on the wax bit.

Maybe you needed a bigger blow torch and a BFH - :iono:


humfrz

Wax Guy didn't.

Since much of my early life was spent driving really old or odball cars i learned how to make gaskets at am early age. Have probably made hundreds. I used a piece of soft pine 2 X 4 between the hammer and the part though. Gave a nicer edge.

Word!

Using any special tool to tighten that one hard to get bolt on the head?

The stock ones are pretty easy with a socket extension. aftermarket ones can be trickier sometimes.