When I put my Hookercomps and magnaflow together I had a slight leak coming to where the exhaust meet up with the header flange. I even bought some more expensive type gasket that arethicker than normal and are suppose to seal up with out problem. Took car back to kid who put exhaust on.I watched what he did - tightened up best he could and still when I put my hand by where they join together I can feel some airfrom the exhaust. Also have had condensation comeing from there so I know still not sealed good. Don't plan on taking back to shop. Figure take somewhere else or figure out myself.

I was watching a car show this am and they were showing putting new headers and exhaust on a newer mustang and the tech put a coat of sealent around it before tightening up - does that make sense and should I try it? Also what kind of sealent is that? thanks

 

I don't know, you saw the show, you tell us. I have never used a sealant on the exhaust system.

 

I never heard of it either. I guess my question should be has everyone ever used sealant on exhaust and why? They did not explain what they were doing just showed hooking it up. I get a ticking noise when car warms up assuming it is the exhaust. It was doing it before new exhaust and was hoping that was it.

 

just double or triple the collector gaskets usually only need to double them to get them to seal.

 

I'll try that - I bought these aluminum gaskets that were about the width of 3of 4 regular gaskets stacked. Were $20 and suppose to conform to whatever problems there may be with fitting

 

My dad had a 454 Chevy engine in a camper, and it sprang a leak at the exhaust gasket area. I took off the manifold and rubbed it on the concrete sidewalk to get rid of the ridge caused by overheating. Anyway, after double gaskets, it sealed.
Sometimes ya just have to do what ya gotta do.

 

some time it takes a hammer and punch to get it to seal too

 

Good idea onhammer and punch.

If thatdoes not work I'll try thesidewalk method if it worked on a 454 sould work on a little 302.

 

alot of the roundy round race heads that would come into the shop had that fiberous thick gasket (not the fiber/pleated metal kind) and red/orange hi temp permatex on them. if it doesnt cook the permatex while redlining around a track it shouldnt be a problem for a street car. but yeah, i would think aluminum or copper gaskets would have fixed you right up.