Ok I got the exhuast all welded and then found out that the little gasket that goes between the header and the air tube thing (PAIR system I believe) blew out. I got another gasket set (30 freaking dollars since they don't just sell the little gaskets) and swapped them in. The gasket blew again the instant I started the truck.

Is there something else I need to do to get this to stop?

 

Wait, didn't you just recently install headers? I cant remember.

 

Yes but I only installed one.

 

well see thats the problem, you didn't install the other one.

 

 

picture?

 

There must be something real different in how the gasket that keeps blowing out is supported by the manifold compared to the header

I am betting your gonna have to fab something up

Without pictures it is just a little hard to know

 

Since no pics... are you talking about the gaskets that go between the PAIR manifold and the exhaust manifold, or the gasket at the rear of the PAIR manifold that joins the pipe which wraps around the rear of the engine to the PAIR valve? If it's the latter, it shouldn't blow out, but if it does it may be that the flanges there are warped or bent and not sealing properly.

 

Abe it's the ones between the PAIR manifold and the Exhaust manifold. In yellow in the picture below.

 

I just went out and looked and the holes in the middle there (between the studs) are threaded.... I'll be I can find a bolt to go in there and snug the PAIR manifold up nice and tight. I'll hit the parts store tomorrow and see what I can find.

 

The one thing that I saw when I installed the LC header on my 89 truck, is that the lower edge of the PAIR flange makes contact with the top weld on the header flange/tube area (hope that makes sense). I removed material from the flange so that it was clear of the weld.

You may be sitting on the weld, creating a spot that does not make a good contact/seal. When exhaust gases make contact, leak.

I didn't take any pictures.

Hope that helps.

Mark

 

YES!! I had that same issue with my LCE header. I used a small di-grinder to knock down the weld to level. Mine never leaked. Luckily I noticed it when I was installing it. I haven't had any issues in over a year with mine.
I hope that helps.

 

My Downey header never leaked...I'm just sayin...

 

Should have little bolts in there. How's it going?

 

I had the same problem when installing the pacesetter header in my truck but instead of grinding the pieces to fit i just used high temp silicone ( red stuff) to seal it up. Ive had it on there for a little over a year now and no leaks!

 

That helps a lot! I'll try and pull it all back off when I get time (I'm working straight through from now to the 11th..) and see if I can grind the flang down a little. I don't want to grind on header and risk messing that up.



See above. I'm going to pull the PAIR assembly, grind it a little for clearance, replace the gaskets again and use two little bolts for those threaded holes just as soon as I figure out what size and pitch they are.

Cross your fingers!!

 

I willing to bet they are the same thread pitch as the studs are. I'm pretty sure I've screwed that hole before...


...anywho, you should pull one of the nuts off and get your bolts thataway.

 

Good idea!