How to replace header gasket?

[GNRick]

I think I blew the header gasket (not head gasket) on passenger side . I have ATR headers and ATR 3" downpipe. Can anybody walk me through removing that header? I am tempted to just let my mechanic do it, but I would like to at least give it a try. How long should it take? Thanks.

 

[GNRick]

Nobody knows how to replace the header gasket?

 

[sweetv6]

i put a copper silicone it work
better than gasket in my case
it is not easy to do it but
i did it in 2 hours.

IMO

cp

 

[chrisgarrett]

It's pretty straight forward.

1. Remove turbo (drain tube, oil feed, etc.)

2. Remove crossover pipe bolts.

3. Remove header bolts. This will sometimes require a variety of socket extensions. I have always found it easier to remove the bottom back most bolt from under the car.

4. Remove header and old gasket.

5. Reverse procedure to install. Use anti-seize on the bolts.

I know one guy who did it without removing the turbo, but I found that made it much harder.

 

[GNRick]

It's pretty straight forward.

1. Remove turbo (drain tube, oil feed, etc.)

2. Remove crossover pipe bolts.

3. Remove header bolts. This will sometimes require a variety of socket extensions. I have always found it easier to remove the bottom back most bolt from under the car.

4. Remove header and old gasket.

5. Reverse procedure to install. Use anti-seize on the bolts.

I know one guy who did it without removing the turbo, but I found that made it much harder.

Thanks Chris. I put the car on jack stands and looked at it from under the car. I couldn't see any way to access the rear bolts, as the downpipe was in the way. So if I remove the cross over pipe, this will give me access to those bolts from under the car?

 

[sweetv6]

It's pretty straight forward.

1. Remove turbo (drain tube, oil feed, etc.)

2. Remove crossover pipe bolts.

3. Remove header bolts. This will sometimes require a variety of socket extensions. I have always found it easier to remove the bottom back most bolt from under the car.

4. Remove header and old gasket.

5. Reverse procedure to install. Use anti-seize on the bolts.

I know one guy who did it without removing the turbo, but I found that made it much harder.

i did it without removing turbo yes it is not easy you have 1 inch
of space to clean up the headers flange and put some silicone

cp

 

[chrisgarrett]

I was able to access the bolt. You can remove it from the top. I just found it easier from the bottom. I guess you can do it without removing the turbo as sweetv6 says. I guess it's nuts, but I also like to remove things because it gives me an opportunity to clean things up.

 

[GNRick]

I was able to access the bolt. You can remove it from the top. I just found it easier from the bottom. I guess you can do it without removing the turbo as sweetv6 says. I guess it's nuts, but I also like to remove things because it gives me an opportunity to clean things up.

Just to clarify-did you remove the cross over pipe (and down pipe?) before you removed the header? Or do they all come off together? I actually think I'm missing those two back screws. I couldn't see them from the bottom with the car on jack stands. But I need to know what has to come off, so I can put everything back on in reverse order.

 

[Dreamcar86]

It's pretty straight forward.

1. Remove turbo (drain tube, oil feed, etc.)

2. Remove crossover pipe bolts.

3. Remove header bolts. This will sometimes require a variety of socket extensions. I have always found it easier to remove the bottom back most bolt from under the car.

4. Remove header and old gasket.

5. Reverse procedure to install. Use anti-seize on the bolts.

I know one guy who did it without removing the turbo, but I found that made it much harder.

Chris,

Do you use exhaust manifold (header) gaskets? I was told early on to never use them unless you like to replace them. I have never ran them on my car. I had a friend at a machine shop resurface mine so they were as flat and smooth as possible and have never had a problem. Just curious what your take was.

 

[chrisgarrett]

Rick, I would not remove the downpipe. Just pull it away, if you are removing the turbo. You don't have to remove the crossover pipe either. Just disconnect it from the header.

I like the Felpro 1400 gaskets. They seal up real nice.

 

[turbo nasty]

WOO HOO.....Ordered a Set of TA Headers

Screwed up did not mean this to go here

 

[GNRick]

Rick, I would not remove the downpipe. Just pull it away, if you are removing the turbo. You don't have to remove the crossover pipe either. Just disconnect it from the header.

I like the Felpro 1400 gaskets. They seal up real nice.

Thanks Chris. It was a Felpro that I might have blown. Anyway I bought a new Felpro 1400 to replace it.

 

[MSDGN]

Do not use the Felpro gaskets with ATR headers...you will blow them in a short time...BTDT...I have ATR headers on both my cars and never had any luck with the Felpros...they are a graphite gasket and the some of the ports on the ATR headers leave very little meat of the gasket to seal so they blow under boost...get some copper header gaskets...put a thin smear of copper RTV on both sides of gaskets...no leaks...been doing it that way for many years...plus the coppers are reusable...also I've removed the ATR headers all different ways...to save yourself any headaches remove the downpipe...turbo and crossover...completely remove the header so you can clean around the ports of the head and header flange...

 

[GNRick]

I went ahead and had my mechanic install the Felpro gasket since that is what I had. He said he did not loosen the downpipe or turbo. I was missing two screws on the back, screw in the middle was lose, and screw in front was cross threaded It took him 3 hours, luckily he only charged me $60 total. He said he was able to access the rear screw holes from under the car. I would have liked to watch him but he called me when the job was done. So now I know to tighten the bolts every so often. Driver side bolts were fine.

 

[marred4life]

i find it easier removing the header with the turbo still installed just unbolt the downpipe remove the crossover pipe unbolt the oil drain and vuhala the headers out.

 

[bison]

I dont run any gaskets. Just a thin layer of copper rtv.