for the life of me i can not get my headers stay sealed up, every month or so - depending on how its driven i need to re tighten my headers bolts. if i rug on it hard right away they will leak instantly . I've tried the header gaskets that came with the headers, Malhe MLS factory style replacement and now have a mr gaskets crush style reusable one - 7406G if interested. ive tried OEM replacement bolts - no lock tight on them - multi sets of header bolts from summit and no change. they leak by the head, make that horrible ticking noise and the cab fills with exhaust and stinks.

what am I missing? I have never ever had this issue on anything else

next step I'm thinking is new GM gaskets and GM bolts with the dam locker on them. I'm just worried they are going to break like they do on stock manifolds.

Truck Info
07 yukon, 6.2, 1 7/8 headers, Y pipe is V banded with flex pipe to factory muffler, has a big chunky cam

 

What headers are you running?

I've never had a issue with GM MLS gaskets and ARP header bolts. I use Nickle antiseize on the bolts as well.

 

Have you tried Stage 8 locking header bolts. I've had extremely good luck with them on LS headers.

 

speed engineering headers

what do you mean locking header bolts? the split style with the jam screw?

 

I have used the stage 8 bolts with zero issues and currently running arp bolts 6 years no issues and no tightening. Gm mls gaskets

 

few questions

stage 8 as in these guys?
https://www.stage8.com/gm-performanc...der-bolt-kits/

for the ARP are the bolts or studs?

no Loctite on any of them?

torqued to gm spec?

 

That's them hoss. loctite and torque to OE spec with OE or equilvalent tri layer gasket problem solved.

 

went thru this recently. the paper gaskets leak and was easy to spot when you remove em you can see the carbon plus it sound terrible. switched to GM OEM gaskets and that fixed it for me.

just used the upgraded arp ten point bolts from speed eng and the thin clamps on the piping. once they heat up they seal nicely.

 

stock mls gaskets, and quality headers.
usually header leaks come from cheap headers.

 

Try Remflex gaskets.