Another Kooks LT leaking thread...

[Agent007]

UltraCopper sealant is your friend! Only put it on the header to gasket sides not the gasket to head.

 

[recordbreaker5]

this is what came with my paperwork.

 

[OneQwkStang]

this is what came with my paperwork.

If you use the Kooks gaskets....?

 

[recordbreaker5]

If you use the Kooks gaskets....?

not sure man, like i said, I didn't do the install. I took the LTs and x pipe to my buddies shop and he's the one who installed them. I'll ask him today if he used a sealant. I just put a new motor in the car about 2 weeks ago so he should be able to tell me if he used a sealant or not.

 

[OneQwkStang]

I never used sealant, old stock gaskets, studs and bolts...no leaks so far and when I went to snug them up after a few runs they were tight still...crossing fingers.

 

[jaja6009]

FINALLY!!!
I got both headers in. I used Copper RTV on both sides of the OEM/Stock gasket. I torqued down from the center and worked my way out. I torqued down in 3 stages. The only thing left is for me to adjust the exhaust to my liking and tommorow I will fire her up and take a look at my handiwork.

THANK YOU to everyone for your input. This was probably the biggest job Ive done on my car. I will report back with the outcome.

 

[jaja6009]

I started her this morning. Smoke poured from the driver side header. No ticking just lots of smoke. My heart sank then I saw I somehow got Copper RTV on one of the primaries. I wiped it off. So Im pretty sure they are sealed. Now my problem is adjusting the rest of the exhaust. The over axlepipes are too low and the passenger side on is laying on the Panhard brace. Im letting her cool off and then Ill adjust that. So I think everything is good.

 

[recordbreaker5]

I started her this morning. Smoke poured from the driver side header. No ticking just lots of smoke. My heart sank then I saw I somehow got Copper RTV on one of the primaries. I wiped it off. So Im pretty sure they are sealed. Now my problem is adjusting the rest of the exhaust. The over axlepipes are too low and the passenger side on is laying on the Panhard brace. Im letting her cool off and then Ill adjust that. So I think everything is good.

glad to hear its working out for ya. lining up the exhaust always seems to be a PITA

 

[AutoXRacer]

Just FYI:

I'm installing my new Kooks headers 1-3/4 version and it came with good-4-seal gaskets (identical to Percy's).
I did buy some ARP header bolts, but they are shorter than the Kooks bolts, so I'm sticking with the Kooks hardware.
In the instructions there is no mention of using RTV/Sealant either. I guess they updated their hardware/install.

I won't find out until later this year if my headers leak...
I'm installing them with the motor out of the car.

 

[AutoXRacer]

Got a quick question for you guys that have installed these headers...

What did you do about the oil dipstick? I can not reinstall mine as it was due to the thick header flange in the way.
Did you guys just bend the mounting tab on the oil dipstick tube?

OEM routing:

Kooks header interference:

 

[recordbreaker5]

I'll take a look at my car tomorrow and see how we did it, can't remember off the top of my head

 

[AutoXRacer]

Awesome!! Thanks!!

 

[CaliforniaSpecial]

^^ I just re-routed the dip stick line back over the flange like you have it shown. It took a little fanangling with the motor being in the car still but went in just fine.

 

[OneQwkStang]

Never had an issue with my dip stick placement.

 

[86GT351]

Re route the dip stick and then use a nut between the head and flange so when you tighten down the bolt it does not distort!

 

[S197gt07]

I'll go outside in a few and look at how I did mine as well.

 

[AutoXRacer]

Are there any concerns about bending the tube...giving it a larger radius bend and then having the dipstick shorten...?

The dipstick is a fixed length in the tube, but if you bend the tube giving it a large radius bend, then don't you shorten the reach of the dipstick in the tube, thus affecting the correct oil level indication?

Just wondering...

 

[S197gt07]

mine is routed around the flange. I have ARH so the flange is the same 3/8" thickness as the Kooks.

Also, it'll read fine. You can bend it, but as long as the bottom of the stick tube doesn't come out from the block, it'll be the same length and read the same. No need to over-worry!

 

[jaja6009]

My dipstick went back in without any bending. But the shop that did the original install may have bent it. I gotta ask him.

I have a few heat cycles on the car now. SO today and tommorow I am gonna remove the starter and motor mounts and retighten the bolts.

The only problem I have now is the exhaust hangs too low.
On the mid pipe right after the H the exhaust has a slight angle bent in. SHould this point up or down? I have it pointing up but the over axle pipes hang really low.
After I tighten the bolt I may have to take it to the shop to have them loosen all the pipes and then adjust the exhaust and then tighten. Im having a hard time doing this on jack stands by myself.

 

[OneQwkStang]

Are there any concerns about bending the tube...giving it a larger radius bend and then having the dipstick shorten...?

The dipstick is a fixed length in the tube, but if you bend the tube giving it a large radius bend, then don't you shorten the reach of the dipstick in the tube, thus affecting the correct oil level indication?

Just wondering...

Your bending the tube no stretching it.