Also I am not sure if there is a tightening sequence on the bolts, but I did inside out... I got them tight, the let the truck warm up completely, then I let it cool down and rechecked all the bolts again...

 

The copper RTV in the tube works also, it's made by Permatex just like the spray can that's pictured. That's what I've used with great results in the past...

 

ok so after getting underneath it again, im still not sure whether its the header flange on the head, or the flanges to the rest of the exhaust. I tightened up the flanges to the exhaust really tight with my wrench, and its the same noise, so im still leaning towards the header to head flange

 

What type of gasket (paper, composite, aluminum, copper) did you use on the header collector? I am assuming that it is a 3 bolt flange?

 

ya its a 3 bolt, and a local muffler shop did them, but they look to be paper or composite. theyre definately not metal. They look like a paper Mr. Gasket 3 bolt flange gasket. should i attempt to losen them and spray them down with that copper gasket maker and reinstall?

 

I have the same 3 bolt flanges on my exhaust. IMO I would go up to autozone or Oreillys and get some composite (~$5) or Aluminum (~$20), use the high temp RTV and smear a light coating on the gasket, then reinstall.. On the 3 bolt flanges I like the rtv tube on the manifold gaskets I like the spray... That is what I did.... BTW if you buy the reusable aluminum ones grind/feather down the area around the bolt holes (the corners) so it is will compensate for warpage. Most of the 3 bolt flanges I have installed seem to warp inbetween the bolt holes.... This is the reason I am going to V-bands...

 

V-bands are too expensive IMO.

So basically composite gaskets are cardboard right?

 

not really, I don't know how to describe them but they are not paper. They are a metal mesh with a hard cardboard like material covering them. Typically they are gray and not very flexible....

 

I put the copper on the stock ones and it works great, now my 3" collectors are another story, they never stop leaking........

 

I got some 2.5 inch copper 3 hole collector gaskets on ebay for like 10 bucks shipped. They've been holding up better than the aluminum. I would blow the aluminum ones after about 6 months. They just keep flattening out until they blow.