Felpro gasket problems?

**camarostripes96** · 05-10-2008, 05:36 PM

I have a 96 trans am and just did a LT header job, well tried copper gaskets and they SUCK, then i went and got some felpro 1470 gaskets, and the passenger side gasket sealed up perfectly and the driver side gasket sealed up except the middle ports are leaking, i loosened the header back up and re torqued them and it is still leaking , what can i do, or should i get earls gasket? anyone know what to do?

**jujofields** · 05-10-2008, 05:55 PM

IMO, you should get the original GM metal gaskets...

**camarostripes96** · 05-10-2008, 06:40 PM

but dont u think they are to thin? what if the the flanges are warped on the bottom?

**joejenkinsglass** · 05-10-2008, 09:20 PM

you can use paper style gaskets
soak them in water for about 15 minutes before you bolt them on they are not reusable but it works
I personally like metal layered gaskets

**jujofields** · 05-10-2008, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by camarostripes96

but dont u think they are to thin? what if the the flanges are warped on the bottom?

Well, I was meaning to buy a new set of the GM metal gaskets...don't reuse the ones you had already taken off...you may think they are too thin, but surprisingly they seem to work really, really well!

**camarostripes96** · 05-11-2008, 10:01 AM

well i am going to try earls , or percys they are a little thicker i think, cause what if my header flange is warped or not straight?

**bigrondownhiller** · 05-11-2008, 01:22 PM

Depending how warped it is you might not get them to seat up. Do you have a metal straight edge to check for warpage? You might be able to double up the center ports with gaskets to make up the difference if you have to. Also check to see if the welds on the inside are ground down smooth.

**camarostripes96** · 05-11-2008, 02:31 PM

shit that would require to take them off wouldnt it , lol what a pain getting them in, no actually it was very easy getting the headers in, i got them (passenger side and driver side) in from the top

**BlackLT1Z28** · 05-11-2008, 07:28 PM

I used some new OE metal gaskets and they worked fine. But you could try some gasket sealant from autozone.

**jujofields** · 05-11-2008, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by BlackLT1Z28

I used some new OE metal gaskets and they worked fine. But you could try some gasket sealant from autozone.

that's what I suggested too

**camarostripes96** · 05-11-2008, 09:22 PM

well if the header flange is warped, wouldnt i have to get thicker gaskets?

**BlackLT1Z28** · 05-13-2008, 11:11 AM

If the header flange is warped, I would send it back for a new one.

**LS2Tuner** · 05-16-2008, 06:30 PM

All you need to do is use some Ultra Cooper silicon.

Put a nice thick bead with your finger around the ports on the FelPro or even the GM for that matter. Allow it to sit up for 30 min. then install.

**camarostripes96** · 05-16-2008, 06:36 PM

so do i put this on the gasket, cause i just put some percys dead soft aluminum and its still leaking

**LS2Tuner** · 05-16-2008, 06:41 PM

Yes put on both sides of the gasket. Thicker on the header side.

So is it leaking in the same place?

**camarostripes96** · 05-16-2008, 07:26 PM

ok i installed LT's on my 96 trans am and i used felpro 1470 header gasket, and my middle ports on my driver side is leaking so i got percys dead soft aluminum and its still leaking , what the hell is going on?

**LS2Tuner** · 05-16-2008, 08:15 PM

Could be a couple different passable problems.
What kind of headers are they?

I hope for your sake they aren't some Ebay junk.............

The problem with the dead soft gaskets is they are usually bigger than a stock NON-ported head. Which equals very minimal gasket surface.

I would start by trying to to run a file over the flange of the header on the middle ports. Even if you can get a good view you should be able to take a mirror and look at the ports after filing to see where it's hitting and where it isn't. After you get it to where the file is hitting the whole flange area clean good with brake clean. Also take a rag with the brake clean and clean the ports on the head.

When re-installing make sure you tighten the middle first working your way to the outside tubes.

**camarostripes96** · 05-16-2008, 08:36 PM

ok i got one percys dead soft aluminum and a felpro 1470, do u think i can cut the left and right side off the felpro and use the middle piece of felpro on the percys and double them up in the middle only, or would that warp the headers even more?

**LS2Tuner** · 05-16-2008, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by camarostripes96

ok i got one percys dead soft aluminum and a felpro 1470, do u think i can cut the left and right side off the felpro and use the middle piece of felpro on the percys and double them up in the middle only, or would that warp the headers even more?

Doubling gaskets is as good as pissing in the wind!

Which has smaller ports when you lay them on top of each other?

Once again I'm almost scared to ask since you didn't answer what kind of headers are they?