Topic: 22r Header, Thorley

[sjelite]

[img]Just picked up a pretty good deal on a low use Thorley header.

Was wondering if anyone on here has any recommendations on gaskets, bolts, heli coil kits, etc. To help prevent leaks.

I have heard about:
Napa Heli Coil kit
Copper gaskets
RTV only
No RTV

But man.... which one should i try on this Thorley?

My head has been freashly rebuilt and I wanted to run the stock manifold for the smog check and then do a complete exaust sytem after word. Im in CA now so I need smog to transfer into my name. I will be moving to a no smog state soon, so I dont want to spend moneyh on a high flow or a CA aproved CAT, i will just use the one thats on it now.


The other thing is the tube adapters on the top for smog emissions. Does anyone have a good way to plug these up for non smog vehicles. Its the small tubes on top.

[jimbo74]

you don't use rtv of any kind on an exhuast gasket.... copper gaskets are good on a header.... i am sure you can buy a gasket from thorley though, pretty cheap, for the application

[sjelite [OP]]

Yea I didnt like the RTV idea, The PO of the header had RTV and I read it on a couple forums.

How about the Napa Heli coil kit, any experiance with this? Or just use plain old studs.

[79coyotefrg]

Yea I didnt like the RTV idea, The PO of the header had RTV and I read it on a couple forums.

How about the Napa Heli coil kit, any experiance with this? Or just use plain old studs.

are the holes in the head stripped out??  because that is the ONLY reason to use helicoils

[sjelite [OP]]

Threads are good, I hope. Had the head re build with new studs put in.
Ran across a couple post people said that the best fix for studs was to replace them with Napa Heli Coil kit, because they hold better.

So basically I ran across a bunch of info that could be fixes/upgrades but... also contain many unexplained variables involved in each scenario.


I guess I will start out with a copper gasket. Ill call Thorley and see if thier gasket is copper and if it is, I will buy one and start from there.
Unless I run across some other info, or other good recommendations from a good source.

Seems like the Marlin Board has a lot of people with real good experience and knowledge. Unfortunately I could find any info on this subject. I always have a hard time using the search engine on this site and usually come up empty handed. Must be user error!

[sjelite [OP]]

Called Summit/Thorley
They dont recomend copper gasket with their headers. They have one were the ports are metal lined and it has a metal layer inside and fiber on both sides.
Part Number 9542 $18.00

I supose I willll go with it and up date if any issues arise.

[79coyotefrg]

I use gaskets from D&J Rock,  or a Toyota oem gasket.
not sure where or who you'd get a copper gasket from.

[kneedownnate]

I used an oem with my header and have not had any leaks, but I also have a 1/2" thick flange.

[sjelite [OP]]

The thorley has a pretty thick flang as well.