New ATR exhaust crossover/ovalized ds header flange

[Momar]

Well, I ordered an ATR crossover pipe because my passenger side part of the pipe leakes because it has been bent up at some point. The drivers side doesnt leak with the stock crossover.

When I recieved my new crossover, it had a note with it to check to see if the flange on the header was ovalized before instalation. It said that if it was not to install, and talk to them. By reading the note, it made it sound as if they had a seperate crossover for an ovalized version. When I talked to them, they said that no, it was from being overtorqued at the factory or from heat cycles. Well, mine appears to be slighly ovalized. All I was told when I called them is that there is a good chance it wont seal. What do you guys think. Without replacing my header do I have any options? Should I try to tighten it on there and see if it forms to the header? I cant really afford 300 dollars for a replacement header. Are the drivers side headers on the 84 and 85's the same, or are they different too? I know a guy that has one from an 84.

Please help.

 

[PEACHS]

Yeah if the crossover pipe is over tightened in will oval. Seems like maybe a muffler shop would have the Bulb tool to baloon or re-expand the dounut.

 

[Momar]

hmm, so you are saying that you think an exhaust shop may be able to fix the header its self. Does anyone know for sure? I may try calling a couple exhaust shops.

 

[Momar]

anybody else?

 

[Louie L.]

The fact that it may be slightly ovaled does not mean that it wont seal. Ive seen several ovaled flanges and they have sealed. Sometimes it takes a couple of tries but it does seal. I would install the crossover and use some Permatex ultra copper on the flanges. Something I do even to perfect ones.

Good Luck

 

[Momar]

I have used the ultra coper on them before, and it seems to work well. ATR sent actual gaskets to go at these points. Do you think I should try them, or just use the ultra coper?

Ben

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

I have good luck with equal tightening on each bolt, dont just do the drivers and expect to line up the passengers side.
You have to tighten all 4 bolts to bring the pipe up and center. A little left, a little right, and take your time getting it centered. Best with a lift.
I use paste copper coat.

ATR had a better version, its the split x over that you MUST WELD, it takes away the tolerances when you deck the heads,headers,and if you choose to use gaskets or no gaskets.
What version do you have?
BW

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

I forgot, what do these new gaskets look like from ATR?
post a pic, send it to me and i can do it

wanner@kc.rr.com

BW

 

[Momar]

Mine is a 2 piece design. It is slip fit. It came with a clamp to clamp the 2 sides together, but they sent me the wrong size clamp.

I will try to get you a picture of the gaskets. They are just flat circle gaskets. They are paper, kind of like what an exhaust manifold gasket would be like, except they are just circles(like big cherios) that match up with the size of the flanges on the headers.

Ben