Exhaust Manifold Gasket or No?

JasonT1124 · July 6th, 2009, 10:23 PM

Just recently had the heads rebuilt on my car and when i re-installed my MAC Long tubes, I installed a set of exhaust manifold gaskets. I now have pretty nasty leaks from both headers. Are these meant to be installed with a gasket? or without one (like the stock heads)?

Is there a liquid sealant I should be using instead??

BakerFX4 · July 6th, 2009, 11:06 PM

i used some gaskets from oreillys and have had no leaks. I dont think i woulld do the liquid. that would be such a mess by the time you fought and fought with it.

F8L GT · July 6th, 2009, 11:06 PM

stock ones use gaskets and yes you should have gaskets with the headers also. Do have all the header bolts tight? Problems with headers are the header bolts tend to loosen up. you can try red rtv silicone which is high temp. but make sure it is sensor safe

Traidmarx · July 6th, 2009, 11:46 PM

yes check them for the 1st week about every other day and tighten them back, happen to a buddy of mine..had them for 2 weeks and was getting a leak....check it and 2 of the bolts had backed out to finger tight, and one bolt had backed all the way out and was missing.

JasonT1124 · July 7th, 2009, 03:12 AM

okay. I am going to pick up some new gaskets and redo this. I wonder if using a combination of gasket and RTV is a good idea?
also.... how the hell do you get the EGR tube tight!? thats a friggin nightmare with LTs.

superbeef1000 · July 7th, 2009, 04:04 AM

Originally Posted by JasonT1124

okay. I am going to pick up some new gaskets and redo this. I wonder if using a combination of gasket and RTV is a good idea?
also.... how the hell do you get the EGR tube tight!? thats a friggin nightmare with LTs.

i did this on mine and it was the only way i could get it to keep a seal

JasonT1124 · July 7th, 2009, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by superbeef1000

i did this on mine and it was the only way i could get it to keep a seal

Great. It seemed like the best idea to me... now is there a special high temp RTV I should be looking for? I'm sure that stuff burning off can't be good for the O2 sensors... is there one that wont hurt them?

JasonT1124 · July 7th, 2009, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Traidmarx

yes check them for the 1st week about every other day and tighten them back, happen to a buddy of mine..had them for 2 weeks and was getting a leak....check it and 2 of the bolts had backed out to finger tight, and one bolt had backed all the way out and was missing.

Well this is the problem that started this whole mess. I had them on and drove them for about 500 miles and the leak got progressively louder and then I started throwing an O2 code on brand new O2s. So I pulled the headers to try and fix this (also I had put a dent in one becuase of rubbing issues) but when I attempted to reinstall them the leak is so bad it is causing a misfire!

Regulator · July 7th, 2009, 01:08 PM

Definitely get some new good gaskets. I used locking header bolts on mine when I reinstalled my MAC L/T's, never had an issue

02sonicGT · July 7th, 2009, 01:14 PM

retorque and use high temp lock-tite to keep them on there. I tightened mine(previous car) from the center out to keep from creating a "bubble" in the middel if the unit flexed while it was being torqued. gaskets are definately a must and I would stay away from combining liquid sealer with the gasket. it will be an awful mess and really should not be needed.

GTRACER88 · July 7th, 2009, 02:13 PM

I had that problem. Go buy the ford metal stock gaskets. It solved my problem!

JasonT1124 · July 8th, 2009, 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by GTRACER88

I had that problem. Go buy the ford metal stock gaskets. It solved my problem!

I found some metal ones that Felpro makes. They sell at Autozone for only $10 and claim to be "redesigned high heat application" so I think I will go that route!

July 6th, 2009, 10:23 PM	#1
JasonT1124 Regular 2000 Mustang 4.6l Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 433 iTrader: 2 reviews	Exhaust Manifold Gasket or No? Just recently had the heads rebuilt on my car and when i re-installed my MAC Long tubes, I installed a set of exhaust manifold gaskets. I now have pretty nasty leaks from both headers. Are these meant to be installed with a gasket? or without one (like the stock heads)? Is there a liquid sealant I should be using instead??

July 6th, 2009, 11:06 PM	#2
BakerFX4 I Post Entirely Way Too Much Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 15,607 iTrader: 14 reviews	i used some gaskets from oreillys and have had no leaks. I dont think i woulld do the liquid. that would be such a mess by the time you fought and fought with it. __________________

July 6th, 2009, 11:06 PM	#3
F8L GT !FACEPLATED! 2002 Mustang GT 7.84 @ 86.01 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 12,064 iTrader: 13 reviews	stock ones use gaskets and yes you should have gaskets with the headers also. Do have all the header bolts tight? Problems with headers are the header bolts tend to loosen up. you can try red rtv silicone which is high temp. but make sure it is sensor safe __________________ MM Bracket Racing Crew Co-Founder ~Its a Drag Car, Not a Show Car~ Custom Race Transmission Build

July 6th, 2009, 11:46 PM	#4
Traidmarx Hardcore Enthusiast 1995 Mustang GT SLOWER THAN OLD PEOPLE FUCK..:-( Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Roanoke,VA Posts: 2,079 iTrader: 0 reviews	yes check them for the 1st week about every other day and tighten them back, happen to a buddy of mine..had them for 2 weeks and was getting a leak....check it and 2 of the bolts had backed out to finger tight, and one bolt had backed all the way out and was missing. __________________ 1995 Mustang GT..4.30's,BBK Longtubes, Off Road X-Pipe,Magnaflow Catback,BBK Intake,BBK Underdrive Pulleys Walbro 255lph pump,accel dizzy,MSD Coil,MSD 8.5 Super Conductors,front sway bar removed, more coming soon.

July 7th, 2009, 01:08 PM	#9
Regulator Regular 1999 Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 177 iTrader: 0 reviews	Definitely get some new good gaskets. I used locking header bolts on mine when I reinstalled my MAC L/T's, never had an issue __________________ '99 GT FS/FT. Click here for details! "And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts, I looked and behold: a pale horse. And his name, that sat on him, was Death. And Hell followed with him."

July 7th, 2009, 03:12 AM	#5
JasonT1124 Regular 2000 Mustang 4.6l Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 433 iTrader: 2 reviews	okay. I am going to pick up some new gaskets and redo this. I wonder if using a combination of gasket and RTV is a good idea? also.... how the hell do you get the EGR tube tight!? thats a friggin nightmare with LTs.

July 7th, 2009, 01:14 PM	#10
02sonicGT Regular 2002 Mustang GT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 281 iTrader: 0 reviews	retorque and use high temp lock-tite to keep them on there. I tightened mine(previous car) from the center out to keep from creating a "bubble" in the middel if the unit flexed while it was being torqued. gaskets are definately a must and I would stay away from combining liquid sealer with the gasket. it will be an awful mess and really should not be needed. __________________ 2002 Sonic Blue GT : Manual, FRPP 3.73's, Ram HDX Clutch, Pypes Violator Cat-Back, Pypes catted X-Pipe, Mach1 Chin, SCT Livewire, PLX SM-AFR as Analog input to LW

July 7th, 2009, 02:13 PM	#11
GTRACER88 Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,153 iTrader: 1 reviews	I had that problem. Go buy the ford metal stock gaskets. It solved my problem! __________________ Super Slow 2011 Grabber blue V6...

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