Do ATR, etc. Headers seal ?

L

Lynn D. Brown

New member
HJey Guys,

Just went thru the trying process of pulling loose the whole exhaust system because the Vortec head plug had been left out of the Pass side.

The flush 3/8" pipe plugs w the indented hex that U have to use to plug the holes aren't really totally flush and probably stick up ~ 1/16". I tightened it up as far as I could, but the one on the other side sticks up also.

This wouldn't matter on the stock Ex Mans since they don't have a clamping surface there. However, the ATR, and I suppose other aftermarket headers, have a flange straight across. So, the flange has to fit over that bump.

So, my question to Y'all w such headers is - "Do they seal". Hopefully they are flexible enuf to conform to that bump and still seal @ the exhaust ports. If I would have had time, I would have ground down the surface of the plug, but I didn't.
 
L

Larry

New member
Do ATR etc. Headers seal?

Do ATR etc. Headers seal?

If I read correctly you are having problems with the header flange hitting the plug? I don't think I would try tightening the header down if it doesn't fit flush. You will probably be fighting exhaust leaks that will drive you nuts. My experience with older v-8 cars, I have just notched the flange in a u shaped fashon to clear any water plugs. That may be a possibility or you could grind the plug flush with the head, that is providing it still has enough depth for the allen head socket to remove it if you should have to do that in the future. Maybe someone will chime in here that is more familiar with headers on these v-6's. There are enough people out there running headers. Hope this helps, Later, Larry.
 
9

93ty475

Donating Member
your header flange might bend if you force the flange over the plug...i would grind something to get it to work...if you happen to remove the headers, put a straight edge over the flanges to make sure they're straight....i did on my kb's and they were not straight...if your's aren't straight, i'll send you some pics of my fix for that...
 
L

Lynn D. Brown

New member
I just got everything back together w about 1-1/2 days of work, so I guess they'll have to leak for now, since I'm ready to move to Denver.

But considering the PITA of taking them apart, I would like to cut a notch in the flange. Not sure what effect that will have on the headers.

What have U other SyTy header guys done or experienced ?
 
L

Lynn D. Brown

New member
ATR Headers

ATR Headers

If it's all right 4 U, I guess I'll do that. Thanx, Brian - just one more thing that ATR doesn't tell U about. If I woulda only known all the shit I had to do because of these headers - I might have thought twice.
 
S

smeagol

Active member
Re: ATR Headers

Re: ATR Headers

Lynn D. Brown said:
If it's all right 4 U, I guess I'll do that. Thanx, Brian - just one more thing that ATR doesn't tell U about. If I woulda only known all the shit I had to do because of these headers - I might have thought twice.
Click to expand...

The headers were designed before the Vortec heads came out, and the location has changed from the stock heads, so that kinda explains it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top