header gasket failure UPDATE post 10

[sn95gtvert]

ok so a few weeks ago a lost the front most header bolt on the drivers side. we all know how much of a pain it is to get one in and out of there. well last night i put the skinny pedel down in 2nd next to my friend on his 1200r kawi. blew out the gasket didnt think much of it. today it was making a head turning tick so i went to the same friend as aboves place to fix it.

3 hours later im still one header bolt down, the lower middle bolt on my valve cover broke making a narly vacuum leak. now my check engine light is on and off the car idles at 2k rpms when or if it starts.

im not in a good mood, i have to wake up early to go out to the local community college and my car is half way across town at a friends.


anyone know what the thread size is for a valve cover bolt, ill probly have to drill and tap it in the am.

 

[CC'S95GT]

Re: header gasket failure

Aaa the joys of ownership.
Can't help you with the bolt size.
Just had to say I feel your pain

 

[sn95gtvert]

Re: header gasket failure

i dont have a problem with where the car is at. i can bring any needed tools to it. just pissed off right now and i gotta figure it out asap its my daily.

 

[94 DropTop]

Re: header gasket failure

Why did you take the valve cover off? I just took out my long tube header had it fixed and reinstalled it yesterday. And it was easy. I dont see why you were having trouble with the gasket. But I dont have a/c so that might be some of it.

 

[Paul]

Re: header gasket failure

Valve covers are 1/4-20 if I remember correctly... which I usually do.

 

[sn95gtvert]

Re: header gasket failure

paul thank you very much.

94 drop top, i removed the one valve cover bolt because its the hold for my dip stick. i have bbk equal length shorties and there was no chance of making the dipstick lock onto the header like it did stock. so i did the next best thing and locked it down on the vc. (worked great until now)

i will however be removing the upper intake and the drivers side valve cover today. probly a trip to the hardware store if im lucky and can get the bolt out. if im unlucky i always have rvt to at least get it sealed to limp home.

 

[94 DropTop]

Re: header gasket failure

I understand the equal lengths are different but if you want I can send you a pic of how my long tubes are set up if you want to change back to the header bolt.

 

[sn95gtvert]

Re: header gasket failure

i can make it lock onto the header again. the bolts that came with my headers were to small to hold it down. i cut the washer off the stock bolt and it fit. now i have 2 sizes of bolts on the drivers side but the dip stick is back to normal.

i fixed it today sorta...

i was unlucky and the bolt broke off inside the head. so i sealed the vc with rvt and it runs fine now no exhaust leak no stalling, bogging, or random starting. but my check engine light is still on, i had the battery off for over 3 hours today while it charged and i roasted in the sun working on it.

any ideas?

 

[CC'S95GT]

Re: header gasket failure

time to get out your favorite paperclip and pull codes. unless you have a OBD1 reader.
I would guess o2 sensor. No need to waste money on a guess though.
Are you sure you don't want to trade now. lol

 

[sn95gtvert]

Re: header gasket failure

i hope its not an 02 sensor, i replaced them both a year or two ago. i understand why it could be an 02 just dont see why it would still be throwing codes after i fixed the exhaust and vacuum leak. i'll get to the bottom of it, and i'll probly drill and retap the head this weekend.

 

[sn95gtvert]

ok so the car is down again. its not go exhaust leak anymore. no vacuum leaks that i can find. it smells of gas real real bad the second after turning the key. when it runs it sounds fine and feels fine. but then it wont start or it will stumble sound like its running on 5 cylinders and bog n die.

wtf its getting old.

 

[CC'S95GT]

pull codes hopefully that should shed some light.