Another Kooks LT leaking thread...

[OneQwkStang]

Oem gaskets and studs with Kooks Lt headers...no leaks yet lol studs have stayed tight too neve had to retighten.

 

[jaja6009]

Sorry I had no reply for a while, been busy.
Yes I do have a catted pipe for the guy who asked.

They were brand spanking new.

Stock gaskets brand new.

Had my trusted shop install them.

Well. I took it to a shop with a smoke machine.
Just as I thought. Leaking both sides at the cylinder head. Very samll.
Was quoted $480 to take em out and put em back in. Actually $200 cheaper than my regular shop. This shop owner has a 2006 GT and installed the LTs on his own ride.

I do feel ripped off that with the type of money Kooks cost the damn things are leaking. The shop told me he likes to use the MLS stock gaskets but would consider using something else. SO now I gotta decide what gaskets. Im leaning towards new stock ones with the copper rtv. He didnt like the idea of the copper RTV.

This pisses me off as I want to get the car dynotuned and cant/wont until I have this leak fixed.

 

[S197gt07]

I did copper RTV on both sides of the OEM gasket and I had 0 leaks, 0 backed out bolts, 0 problems.

That sucks man.

 

[jaja6009]

I found these Cometic Header Gaskets.
http://www.shopengineparts.com/prod...c+Auto&make=Ford&model=Modular+V8&type=engine

MLS construction. One piece as opposed to 2. A decent price.
Scary part is for every gasket I found someone on some forum that had a leak.
The Remflex gaskets sound good but they seem if they are over torqued they break and fail. And I dont see how someone is able to get a torque wrench on every bolt.

 

[Cobra Drifter]

Seems like no matter what you use or brand, there is always some issue with some percentage of every manufacturers headers.

 

[GerRod]

I'm running Kooks LTs, Kooks bolts, and dry OEM gaskets without any problems.

 

[BruceH]

Sorry I had no reply for a while, been busy.
Yes I do have a catted pipe for the guy who asked.

They were brand spanking new.

Stock gaskets brand new.

Had my trusted shop install them.

Well. I took it to a shop with a smoke machine.
Just as I thought. Leaking both sides at the cylinder head. Very samll.
Was quoted $480 to take em out and put em back in. Actually $200 cheaper than my regular shop. This shop owner has a 2006 GT and installed the LTs on his own ride.

I do feel ripped off that with the type of money Kooks cost the damn things are leaking. The shop told me he likes to use the MLS stock gaskets but would consider using something else. SO now I gotta decide what gaskets. Im leaning towards new stock ones with the copper rtv. He didnt like the idea of the copper RTV.

This pisses me off as I want to get the car dynotuned and cant/wont until I have this leak fixed.

The cause of your leaks could be uneven, over, or under torque on the fasteners. Did your shop use the goodntight method?

FWIW I've always used stock gaskets and try to use as many factory studs as possible, stage 8 locking bolts go where studs can't be used.

 

[Born To Run]

Kooks leak!

Stock manifold gaskets,re used 3 times so far,even after i blew my engine.Used red RTV with them & installed Stage 8 fastners.No problems.

 

[jaja6009]

After a little soul searching, Im gonna do the reinstall myself.
And Im gonna use the following.
Factory studs (whereever I can get em to fit) bolts in whereever I cant get studs in.
New factory gaskets
Permatex Copper RTV to dress the stock gaskets.
Tighten flange from center and work my way out.

When done, I will put the motor mounts back on, start her up get it up to operating temp then pull motor mounts and retighen. Ill do the heat tighten cycle 2 to 3 times.

I plan on making this a week long project so I will take my time and post up my results.
I gotta go get a creeper from Harbor freight. Im getting the long padded one. Try to get some comfort for an uncomfortable job.

Wish me luck!

 

[topbliss]

big job.. good luck man!!

 

[Timmbo]

After a little soul searching, Im gonna do the reinstall myself.
And Im gonna use the following.
Factory studs (whereever I can get em to fit) bolts in whereever I cant get studs in.
New factory gaskets
Permatex Copper RTV to dress the stock gaskets.
Tighten flange from center and work my way out.

When done, I will put the motor mounts back on, start her up get it up to operating temp then pull motor mounts and retighen. Ill do the heat tighten cycle 2 to 3 times.

I plan on making this a week long project so I will take my time and post up my results.
I gotta go get a creeper from Harbor freight. Im getting the long padded one. Try to get some comfort for an uncomfortable job.

Wish me luck!

You better take a straight edge and a feeler gauge to those flanges and make sure there not warped or your doing a lot of work for nothing.

 

[jaja6009]

You better take a straight edge and a feeler gauge to those flanges and make sure there not warped or your doing a lot of work for nothing.

Good idea, Thanks. Ill be sure to do it.
Im prepping rite now making sure I got all the tools.
I bought a nice creeper. Padded and with an adjustable inclined head rest.
Might be able to fall asleep under the car on this baby it feels so comfy.

 

[jaja6009]

Got the passenger side off. I feel stupid but what side of the stock gasket faces the head? I didnt see how it was installed as they fell out when the last bolt came out.

 

[S197gt07]

If I remember from my install, they have no "back or front", just a top and bottom.

 

[jaja6009]

I thought could go any way but one side is flat and one side has a raised lip around the port.
I want to make 100% sure since this job has taken so long. Its not hard just time consuming finding the right tools.

 

[recordbreaker5]

did you the shop that put them on originally use a high temp rtv on install? When I got my Kooks in the mail, they send the manufacturer date paperwork as well as install instructions which say to use a high temp sealant for install.

 

[OneQwkStang]

instructions which say to use a high temp sealant for install.

Really?

 

[recordbreaker5]

Really?

yes sir, i was cleaning the garage yesterday and came across the plethora of paperwork for all the parts on my car and was looking through it. I found the maunfacturer date tag for my headers and the install instructions. when i saw that you are supposed to use sealant, it made me think if the installer used it when he put my set on. and 2 days later (today) i see this thread, so i figured i'd chime in lol

 

[jaja6009]

The original shop did not use sealant.
I bought some copper rtv.
I have the passenger side in.
Im working on the driver side. I was tryin not to drop the steering shaft but im gonna have to. The passenger side is cake compared to the driver side.
My biggest problem is not having enough extensions and universals. I keep having to drive to my dads to steal some. I dont see me finishing the driver side until late tonight or tommorow.

 

[recordbreaker5]

yea, it suck major dick hole putting headers on especially if you're on your back doing it