IHADAV8.com - Turbo Buick Tech, and Nonsense

Tech Area => General Buick Tech => Topic started by: Wrecked Em on February 22 2011, 06:58:05 PM

Title: Header to turbo connection
Post by: Wrecked Em on February 22 2011, 06:58:05 PM

What is everyone using to seal the connection between the header and the turbo?

Title: Re: Header to turbo connection
Post by: chrisgarrett on February 22 2011, 09:15:03 PM

I like these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buick-Grand-National-Turbo-Header-Gasket-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35af9de377QQitemZ230579626871QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Title: Header to turbo connection
Post by: Steve Wood on February 22 2011, 10:03:06 PM

I prefer to do it the factory way and use no gasket...I usually put a paper thin smear of high temp rtv.

If I think the flange has been warped slightly, I use one such as Chris showed.

Title: Header to turbo connection
Post by: Wrecked Em on February 22 2011, 10:12:12 PM

Mine has enough corrosion that I do not think it will seal metal to metal. I am currently using this....

(http://go.mrgasket.com/ProductImages/120/1204.jpg)

but I am not happy with it.

Title: Header to turbo connection
Post by: Steve Wood on February 22 2011, 11:27:45 PM

the point of the rtv is to fill any imperfections in the mating surfaces...tha t is the reason I said paper thin



the kind you show will often burn the surface off and leak like a sieve.

Title: Re: Header to turbo connection
Post by: motorhead on February 25 2011, 10:23:06 PM

Muffler cement.

I shit you not.

Title: Header to turbo connection
Post by: Wrecked Em on February 25 2011, 10:38:18 PM

Quote from: "Steve Wood @ Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:27 pm"

the point of the rtv is to fill any imperfections in the mating surfaces...tha t is the reason I said paper thin



the kind you show will often burn the surface off and leak like a sieve.

If it fails again, I will try that. That is what I did for the turbo to elbow connection but the surfaces are much better.

Title: Re: Header to turbo connection
Post by: Just a Six? on March 05 2011, 11:54:08 AM

Use a big file or I prefer a belt sander & make sure each end is flat & smooth then the RTV will work everytime.

PS: Don't go Crazy with the belt sander! It's tempting but take it slow & easy.

Title: Re: Header to turbo connection
Post by: Wrecked Em on March 05 2011, 05:51:57 PM

Quote from: "Just a Six? @ Sat Mar 05, 2011 10:54 am"

Use a big file or I prefer a belt sander & make sure each end is flat & smooth then the RTV will work everytime.

PS: Don't go Crazy with the belt sander! It's tempting but take it slow & easy.

I filed everything before I assembled it. Like I said, if the gasket fails again, I will use the RTV. So far, it has been ok.

Title: Re: Header to turbo connection
Post by: Just a Six? on March 05 2011, 06:54:41 PM

I will be on my 2nd season with mine now since I did nothing all winter!  :mad:

On a good note I cant find any leaks so better to leave well enuf alone for me!  :rolleyes:

Title: Header to turbo connection
Post by: 87natty on March 05 2011, 08:43:17 PM

I used a copper gasket I got form Poston's years ago. It survived about 3 manifold swaps before it finally split. Can't remember if it was an SCE gasket or not?

Title: Header to turbo connection
Post by: 87natty on March 05 2011, 08:44:23 PM

I use SCE copper gaskets on the head to header connection too. Re-used those plenty of times.

Title: Re: Header to turbo connection
Post by: Scoobum on March 06 2011, 08:19:13 AM

I use the one Chris posted...and I pound the crap outta my car on the weekends at the track and drive it all over the place...and it hasn't failed.

Title: Header to turbo connection
Post by: Wrecked Em on March 06 2011, 09:11:17 PM

Quote from: "87natty @ Sat Mar 05, 2011 7:44 pm"

I use SCE copper gaskets on the head to header connection too. Re-used those plenty of times.

I used those when i installed the GN1 heads on the 85.