jbraun2828

Make sure to check your tail pipes as well. I had the same problems but it was the tails not the headers

KR252Boss

Running on engine stand only so far. No tails on yet but thanks for info

sutphen 30

Running the headers with gaskets?leaky exhaust gaskets will help revert water.

KR252Boss

I do have gaskets

Budman II

iTrader: (1)

Can you typically hear a header gasket leaking in a boat? I had to wrestle the hell out of my starboard header to get it on, and when running it I sometimes think I can hear a little bit of a "chirp" coming from that side of the engine. I do know from experience with cars what a bad header leak sounds like, and I know that they also can have a bit of a "ringing" sound to them. Don't really want to deal with pulling it off to check if not necessary, because it is so hard to get back on. Any other ways to check for header gasket leaks?

the deep

iTrader: (8)

Look closely for carbon tracks .

Rbesola

Run your hand around the flange while its idling. You'll feel it.

BUP

iTrader: (9)

Dump fogging oil down the carb with the engines running @ rpms of 1200 to 1500 and you will see the smoke pour out at your leaks. If it is a EFI / MPI engine use a small outboard gas tank with fresh gas in it and mix in 2 stroke motor oil about 15 to 1 or a tad less - then hook the portable fuel tank / fuel line to your inlet fuel barb and the run the engine, keep the engine running till you find the smoke coming out the leaks if you have any. Been doing this for 30 years finding header and manifold leaks also inspecting the gaskets for blown across areas.

Budman II

iTrader: (1)

I'll start with looking for carbon tracks as it has been winterized at this point, but when we get a run of warm weather I might start it up and check for leaks as described. Thanks for the hints.

Not to be contrary, but I'm trying to wrap my mind around how the header leak can promote reversion. It would seem that any leak in this area would simply try to pull exhaust / air back into the port through the path of least resistance when the valve is open and the piston starts moving downward. If that path happens to be a bad seal in the header gasket, in my mind it would be logical for it to actually lessen the pull of exhaust back through the exhaust primary itself. Now if I do have a leak I am definitely going to fix it, but I'm just having trouble trying to picture how this would affect reversion in an exhaust system. Has anyone been able to document this happening? Does it have something to do with exhaust scavenging?

KR252, please accept my apology for hijacking your post.

KR252Boss

No prob. Back to my problem I have contacted the guy I bought headers from and says he will refund money upon proof of pressure test as his ad stated "pressure tested". I'm gonna do that this afternoon. I'm sure it's the headers. Has to be unless I really did something wrong and blew both head gaskets in less than 10 minutes on a new motor with decked block resurfaced fresh heads and Fel pro marine head gaskets with ARP head bolts torqued in proper sequence proper torque??? Anything is possible I guess but will know for sure later when I pressure test these headers