Header install FYI

[VadersV6]

Pulled my old header off this weekend. The old one was cracked, and warped over 1/8"!!!
Anyway, I tried the gasketless method, and used grease instead of silicone. The grease turns to carbon and makes a great seal. It works very well. No leaks anywhere. Thanks for that tip!
The whole swap took me about an hour, and I didnt even have to drop the crossover, or pull the spark plugs. Flat rate work at its finest, lol. Sure beats a header job on a mustang cobra. To do a header swap took 12 hours the first time, and the second time I dropped the K-Member and it only took 8 hours.

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

Grease? Really?
I will have to give that a try... who else has tried grease on them?
BW

 

[Boston GN]

I'd like to know this too. I have a set of ATR headers on their way back from the coater. I also have copper gaskets. I was going to use Hi-temp copper RTV, but this sounds interesting. What type of grease did you use?

 

[ONE_QUIK_6]

Also interested in what kind of grease you used.
Thanks

 

[VadersV6]

High temp copper is only rated for intermittent heat cycles. Not continuous. Ive never had that stuff last on any of my cars.
The header flange needs to be pretty flat for it to work. Shove a whole paper towel in each port, and lightly sand the sealing face on the head, around the ports. I used some 60 grit. Did the same to the header, but just enough to give the grease something to collect in. I didnt slop the grease on. I just dabbed it all around on the sealing surface of the head, and the header before I installed it. I snugged all the bolts up, then tightened all the bottom ones first, since the flange goes all the way, end to end on the bottom. Then I tightened the top ones. I did this in the hopes that it would decrease warping as I tightened it up.
I used regular dark brown/black wheel bearing grease. Didnt use lithium or synthetic. Its 150 miles later, and there is still no leaking. Ive even hit the throttle at 20psi with alky a few times. All is well.