New gaskets for header install?
- Thread starter s14_tat
- Start date
Yes, you will likely need new gaskets. Why take the chance after going through the trouble of installing them?
Jeff
Jeff
+1!!!
+1
Only because installing the headers take so long, you might as well do a little preventitive maintence and install new gaskets. I don't think they are very expensive. I think it's only $16 ea.
The gasket that goes on the pipe between the headers and the cats can be reused it they are still in good condition. They are easy to get to if they needed to be replace in the future. But then again, it only costs $5 to replace it now.
Only because installing the headers take so long, you might as well do a little preventitive maintence and install new gaskets. I don't think they are very expensive. I think it's only $16 ea.
The gasket that goes on the pipe between the headers and the cats can be reused it they are still in good condition. They are easy to get to if they needed to be replace in the future. But then again, it only costs $5 to replace it now.
maybe this thread will get more views so I can get my question answered haha.
(sorry to threadjack)
but yea, i would buy them to have on hand incase the ones you have turn out to be less than ideal.
http://nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92413
anybody have any opinions on this? ~~^
(sorry to threadjack)
but yea, i would buy them to have on hand incase the ones you have turn out to be less than ideal.
http://nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92413
anybody have any opinions on this? ~~^
I'd consider replacing studs and nuts also if the it is an older X.
As far as the header gasket... I don't think you will need to replace them. The gaskets are 3 or 4 thin sheets of metal that don't seem to wear. I've read in other threads that they can be re-used and mine seemed fine. (However, my header came with new gaskets which I did use.)
There are other things that are more likely to need to be replaced. First are the O2 sensors. I got one of mine out easily, the other is still in the old manifold in my trash can, by the curb today waiting for the trash people. They may or may not come out. I bought 2 in advance from sparkplugs.com for cheap, so now I have an extra (used) in my parts box.
The studs on your cats, that go to the header and to the muffler, will likely be a pain in the arse to get off. I had to cut several off. I then had a shop (Superior Acura in Shawnee, KS - thanks!) pound them out. I couldn't get them out myself. I replaced all my studs in the cats (6 each) with stainless steel fasteners.
The same is true for the cat shields. These little 10mm bolts were rusted and so any torque to get them off broken them. They got replaced with stainless also.
Finally, one of the studs in my heads, that holds the header, broke when I bumped it doing something else. I had to buy a stud remover which took it out fine. I relpaced it with the OEM part. Only one of the 14 did this so you may not have this problem.
I think I've covered what is most likely to get you stuck. Good luck.
There are other things that are more likely to need to be replaced. First are the O2 sensors. I got one of mine out easily, the other is still in the old manifold in my trash can, by the curb today waiting for the trash people. They may or may not come out. I bought 2 in advance from sparkplugs.com for cheap, so now I have an extra (used) in my parts box.
The studs on your cats, that go to the header and to the muffler, will likely be a pain in the arse to get off. I had to cut several off. I then had a shop (Superior Acura in Shawnee, KS - thanks!) pound them out. I couldn't get them out myself. I replaced all my studs in the cats (6 each) with stainless steel fasteners.
The same is true for the cat shields. These little 10mm bolts were rusted and so any torque to get them off broken them. They got replaced with stainless also.
Finally, one of the studs in my heads, that holds the header, broke when I bumped it doing something else. I had to buy a stud remover which took it out fine. I relpaced it with the OEM part. Only one of the 14 did this so you may not have this problem.
I think I've covered what is most likely to get you stuck. Good luck.
I had the Cantrell headers installed somewhere around 120,000 miles. Since they were so cheap I bought new header gaskets but honestly, the ones that came off the car were still usable. So I took the new unused set and fashioned them into a really sexy looking beachwear ensemble.
DIRTY OLD MAN, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.......
Definitely get new gaskets..
HOLY HECK!! I was thinking of doing the header and O2 sensor replacements in my garage, but reading your post makes me scared to even think about it!! Is this much breakage a common issue? How can it be prevented?
I think I might not have to do my own install after all. My friend found a place that specializes in ferrari's, lambos, porsches and bimmers. I'm sure those guys will know how to take care of my car. I also took your advice and got a new gasket anyway.
There are several good write ups on how to install headers. They include tools you'll need, step by step instructions and photographs. (What's next, video?) :smile:
As far as stuff getting stuck or breaking, I assume the probability of bad stuff happening goes up with age, mileage and use conditions. I just turned 143k and have made no attempt to avoid bad conditions. Bad conditions include snow, ice, with road salt from at least 3 states, heat, track use, rain, stop-n-go, etc. I was likely a worst case, other than those who have even more miles.
If your car is relatively new, or has been kept out of rain and road salt conditions, you may expect much less rust and stuck bolts.
You might want to just get under there and take a look to see how bad it is. Jack up the car securely, high in the back. Make sure you have a six-sided 14mm socket and wratchet. You may need a breaker bar also. The nuts on the muffler side of my cats were the most stuck. See if you can get these guys off. (Read the instructions already written about using PB Blaster, etc, first.) If these 6 come off fairly easily, then you may not have too much trouble. I had several get stuck which leads to cutting tools which results in replacing studs, etc. Hopefully, you won't have to go down that road.
If you have a lift then doing the install by yourself is much easier, if you don't then definitely do it at a garage that has one and I recommend removing the ac compressor first so you have room to work with.
