Leaky ds header fix?

[Pats-GN]

I've got the driverside header off, cant find a crack yet, but it is leaking at one of the flanges. It didnt have a header gasket on there, will a gasket help the flange leak? Which gaskets best? Also, any easy ways to detect small cracks in the welds?

thanks
pat

 

[WarpSpeed]

A gasket may help, as long as the flange is "true." I used the felpro 1400, I think it was. Don't use the cheap aluminum gasket with the dots in it.
If the flange is way off, you can slice it about half way between the tubes so it will bolt up evenly.

I checked my headers by filling them with water(not on the car of course.) Any leaks are evident.

 

[Steve Wood]

best to have a machine shop resurface it flat...I have never used gaskets but I do smear a thin coat of high temp rtv on the face before bolting it up.

 

[terryk]

I used tennis balls and duct tape to seal off the ports and applied 5 PSI of air to the headers. A little soapy water later and any and all cracks are found. The tennis balls cut in half work great on the PS crossover and up pipes.

Terry