RyoNishi

i have a gap between the header and right where it connets to the gasket or something. everything is good but it sounds like a rattling muscle car engine coming out of the exhuast. plz give me advice.

ColinRX7

I'm not sure what you mean, is the engine side flange of the header warped or something? If that's the case, get it planed and reinstall it, should axe the problem.

RyoNishi

i mean the end of the headers under the car that connets to the pipe systems of the exhuast. theres a gap somewhere between there. and how do i reinstall it.

1988RedT2

I assume you're talking about a flange-to-flange connection, probably 2.5" diameter. Gasket is probably a standard 2-bolt design such as this: [attachment=43927:exhgasket.jpg] Any auto parts store should carry it.



You need to undo 2 probably rusty bolts, remove the old gasket, insert the new gasket, and put in 2 new bolts and tighten the beejeebers out of it. You should be able to accomplish this with the exhaust still hanging under the car. If you don't have access to a lift, you'll have to safely jack and support the car to provide enough room to get under it. Lying on my back under a car working on a rusty exhaust is probably my most-hated car-related activity. If the bolts are too rusty to get off, don't waste time. Just break them or cut them. You really should replace them with new unless they are in unusually good shape.



Success (obviously) will depend on the exhaust being in reasonably good condition and properly supported.

Rob x-7

there is also exaust goo you can put there to help when you put a new gasket, if there is a large space then something is out of whack.

ColinRX7

I bent my RB collector flange from overtorquing those two bolts. Steel bends without much force.



Alot of assembly/disassembly can warp the flange if you put a bit of pressure on everytime, then you have to flatten it back out (manually grind or get it planed).



Couldn't use enough exhaust fudge on it to seal up, last time, so I ground it flat.

RyoNishi

one more question. the flange to flange was broke by going up a curb and i think its a little flat or something. do you still remove the gasket and replace it with a new one or get a new exhuast system?

1988RedT2

Ahhh.... now we get the truth!







If you bent the metal up, you'll need to get it back in shape or no gasket is going to fix the leak. It really depends on how much its bent. Is the pipe bent, or just the flange?



If the exhaust is in good shape, you can surely salvage it. You might just get a shop to fix it for you, if it's going to need more than just a gasket.

Leetheslacker

i scrape my exhaust too much.



gaskets never last.



im about to pay someone to weld it together.

Rob x-7

we used to double up header gaskets that like to leak alot