I can't get my new Pypes LT's to quit leaking. Its all you can hear from the front of the car at idle and its embarrasing in traffic. When I installed them I reused the stock gaskets but they may be burned out because the nuts kept backing off the studs. The last time I re-torqued them I also put jam nuts on but the gasket damage must have already been done.

I'm planning to go with Percy gaskets with the copper exhaust stuff sprayed on both sides. What are the best fasteners to use - stage 8, percy's, something else? Or will the factory nut/studs along with jam nuts be good?

I'd rather not remove them but would it be worth it to ensure the flanges are perfectly flat. It wouldn't be much more work than what i'd already be doing to access the lower bolts anyway.

I just want the leaks to stop for good. Suggestions?

 

Does it sound like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYdhh8PqlMU&NR=1

Do you know for sure that your headers are not warped? I do not know if that has any bearing on the issue since headers are much more flexible pipes than a manifold. And putting the bolts on right and torquing them down properly should address any warp, but that is just one guess.

If warping cannot be an issue, what about a possible hole or crack in one of the header pipes?

 

I have the percy gaskets on mine! They are great gaskets

 

i had problems with my headers having an exhaust leak took them off and the gasket had burned and was in peices so we made our own gasket and it has never failed.

 

If the flange is thick enough and still strait, just use some high temp silicone and no gasket. Typically if the bolts are backing out then you may have some warpage at the flange and/or something causing excessive movement in the exhaust down wind of the headers. Sometimes a loose hanger can cause many issues. Invest in some Stage-8 locking header bolts to prevent the bolts from coming out.

We don't use any gaskets with our exhaust and have no issues.

 

Header gaskets, bolts, and gasket coating arrived from Jegs this morning. It'll all be going on this weekend.





Anyone else doing this? I trust that they obviously know what they're talking about I just haven't heard of running w/out gaskets.

 

I would run stock 100% stainless steel gaskets and use some Nord-Lock washer on the stock studs with a possible, but not necessarily required, upgrade to some stainless ARP nuts. Your first mistake was reusing the stock gaskets. Since they are all metal they deform to fit surface irregularities which could cause them to take a set that will not seal on your new headers.

P.S.
Never run headers without gaskets. The sealer may seal nicely at first but will definitely burn out down the road. Also I have read a lot of issues with the Percy gaskets having to do with either not getting torqued down enough or also a little to much both which cause them to develop leaks down the road.

 

I had a slight leak out of one header. The flange was slightly warped. Took both headers to the machine shop and had them planed for 60 bucks. Put on a new set of Percys Seal for Good gaskets. Done. Perfect.

Follow my advice or keep bitchen 6 months from now lol.

 

I installed my pypes LTs a couple months ago. I removed all the factory studs and used the supplied bolts that came with the kit. I also installed the gaskets that came with the kit. No leaks as far as I can hear. I've never re-tightened them since there's no apparent leak.

Now watch, I'll go for a drive this weekend and it'll leak like crazy.

Zach

 

Percy Seal-4-Good or GO HOME!!!!!!! Best gaskets by far. OEM SUCK!