problems with my TM headers

[gluvsave35]

ok i installed my tm headers back in early september and have had no problems... they were installed correctly!!!!
today i started to hear the same tick as when i had my stockers on there
which means i blew the gasket AGAIN!!! i wanted to know if any of u have run into this problem... i knew i was going to have to replace them but i didnt think this quickly.... 2morrow im goin to bring it to work and get it up on the lift and see whats really goin on...

also is there a better gasket that i can use almost like an oem metal 1 instead of the little cheesy cardboard one...

i was goin to call rick 2day but didnt get a chance

thanks for ur help
i want to get this fixed asap cus i hate that dreaded ticking!!!!!

 

[Turdle]

I would try a felpro-stock explorer gasket.

 

[gluvsave35]

well i was thinkin of either callin my local parts house and seeing wut they carry or even spending some money and calling my ford part house that we deal with but i want to make sure that they would fit first i dont want to get the header off and find out that it dont fit...

i was also thinkin that my head might be warped cus its the same side as the leak with the stocker on it the left side.. and that wus the pain in the a$$ side too!!!!

 

[410Fortune]

get some copper style gaskets, as long as you clean the mating surfaces well and re-torque the bolts after its hot the copper gaskets should never leak

The Fel Pros or a cheaper gasket may work too as suggested but I am going with copper so I dont have to pull the headers again..

I have had the gaskets Robert sends leak as well

 

[gluvsave35]

get some copper style gaskets, as long as you clean the mating surfaces well and re-torque the bolts after its hot the copper gaskets should never leak

The Fel Pros or a cheaper gasket may work too as suggested but I am going with copper so I dont have to pull the headers again..

I have had the gaskets Robert sends leak as well

that sounds like a plan... but were would i go for this?

 

[Turdle]

here is a start---
http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...0+4294908331+115+4294840126&Ntk=KeywordSearch

 

[racinjason]

There is a company that makes thicker metal gaskets that actually crush when you bolt the headers on. I had to use them on my cobra with the p.o.s. motorsport headers I had and the worked great. Here's a link to a similar one. I don't remember what mine were called.
http://www.remflex.com/

 

[tktrain]

I've had very good luck putting a bead of Permatex Ultra Copper High Temp RTV on the header flange side of the gasket. I make a very even bead about 1/16" thick and let it cure completely before installing. I always make sure it is the O2 sensor safe version and then torque the header bolts to the high end of the spec and then re torque them after about 2-4 hours. My X headers have been leak free for 6 years.

 

[EXPLORER97']

I would go with 410 fortune on this one. I put copper gaskets and used permatex copper spray-a-gasket on my dad's 302 that leaked my entire life no matter what we did and after that no more leaks.
I also used this setup on my acura when I put a header on it and two of the studs busted off in the head but still had no leak.

I got my gaskets from a local parts store. I want to say it's a Mr. Gasket brand but I've forgotten things before.

 

[wpurple]

I thought that the gaskets that came with the TMH were pretty good....no problems yet.

 

[410Fortune]

I thought so too until I have had this happen on 4 headers:

Now with that in mind, the TM headers I installed on my Explorer have not leaked at all, it may be because thy were alot easier to fit on that truck, with teh body lift and everyhting out of the way so I was able to prepare the heads better.
I will be replacing them with copper gaskets soon though, the leaks drive me batty

 

[gluvsave35]

well i dont think mine is that bad YET but i think im goin to wait till i get my brand new 302 and do those copper gaskets... it was a pain in the a$$ on the passenger side it took me about 5 hrs to get that one side in so i think i might just wait!!!!

 

[410Fortune]

it will only take 2.5 hours next time I am down to like 1 hour or so per side hahahaha as long as the inner fender liners are gona already (I rarely run them)

 

[Mtn8er]

I just installed my TMH about a month ago and I think my gaskets are leaking also. I hear a nice tick when my engine is under load. I'm glad I found this thread because I think I'm going to get me a pair of those REMFLEX exhaust gaskets, those look really good.

 

[99SportX]

I installed my TM's about three weeks ago, and so far no leaks. I just tightened them down good before starting the motor, and checked the bolts after running for a little while. No problems at all. I have been worried about leaks as I have heard so many people having header leak issues, but I guess I have been one of the lucky ones (knock on cast iron. lol). Only time will tell.

 

[freak007]

the Orange perma-tex will seal, but as you said using it on your application could be difficult...

If you can graphite MLS gaskets for a SBF and use copper anti-seize on the face they WILL seal...

I have also had good luck with the SCE very thick(.062) copper gaskets, but remember copper melts at 1900ish degrees so when you use them, run the engine hard and hot and then give them an extra 1/2 - 3/4 turn while still hot. When they cool completely, they'll seal like they were poured in there...

Percy's "SEAL-4-GOOD" aluminum gaskets work well, especially when installed like you would copper...

 

[Four0Sport]

I'm having the same annoying tick on my passenger side when im under accelleration.. heard from a couple people the manifolds are known to crack, but after reading the thread i'm hoping it just a blown gasket. stock manifolds on a 97.. are they stainless? or are they regular cast underneath those annoying shields? any tricks for installation?

 

[Turdle]

I'm having the same annoying tick on my passenger side when im under accelleration.. heard from a couple people the manifolds are known to crack, but after reading the thread i'm hoping it just a blown gasket. stock manifolds on a 97.. are they stainless? or are they regular cast underneath those annoying shields? any tricks for installation?

Looky--that is a good old fashioned stick weld.
the weld will hold for only a short while--

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36951&d=1166061587

 

[gluvsave35]

I'm having the same annoying tick on my passenger side when im under accelleration.. heard from a couple people the manifolds are known to crack, but after reading the thread i'm hoping it just a blown gasket. stock manifolds on a 97.. are they stainless? or are they regular cast underneath those annoying shields? any tricks for installation?

either way if its a cracked manifold or a blown gasket ur goin to have to take that side apart and out so u might as well just get the tm headers!!!!!

but instead of using the gasket that they give u use the copper 1's

tricks- be patient and carefull, take ur time,
i started with the passenger side and that took the longest to do about 6 hrs
the driver side went in, in no time and no problem!!

 

[99SportX]

Well what do you know, I got my exhaust done today so it is quieter and the guy at the shop said he heard a header leak. I honestly didn't hear it at first since the exhaust was so loud, but now that it is quieter, I can hear a definite ticking when under load. I am going to be getting some copper gaskets here soon and go through the painful task of messing with these things again in such tight quarters.

Does anyone have a part number from summit that I could order? The port sizes are what confuse me.

Thanks.


EDIT: Well, upon inspection, it seems that some of my header bolts have loosened up considerably. One even fell out! haha Guess that thread locker comes in the kit for a reason. Not exactly sure why I didn't use it. Oh well, I got some new bolts and am going to try this again with the existing gaskets. Still though, I would appreciate it if anyone knew of a part number for new gaskets down the road and for others reference.