just some insight on ebay header

[sgtsmasher]

im talking about the M2 style that seems so popular these days....i just took mine off a couple of days ago and this is what i fount out about it NOT being made correctly for the zetecs





see the black at the bottom of each hole...i was loosing power, A LOT OF POWER, just from it not lining up correctly

[pasta]

good to know but there is nothing better than svt header

[drunkyoda]

i feel bad for your car... a lot of rust.

[sgtsmasher]

Originally Posted by HAILEYS_CRAZY_DADDY

So if I'm understanding all this right it's best not to buy an ebay header

right, stay away from ebay with performance parts, other parts are maybe questionable, but other are good

Originally Posted by iminhell

Looks primarily like a gasket issue ...

nope it actually just didnt line up at all

Originally Posted by drunkyoda

i feel bad for your car... a lot of rust.

and really for being in maine and having salty dry and wet winters, the car is holding up really good, thanks

[iminhell]

Looks primarily like a gasket issue ...

[Mile30]

Originally Posted by iminhell

Looks primarily like a gasket issue ...

I had a repair/inspection ticket dilemma recently... my OBX header had the same look. I lined up the gasket for shiss and gigs, and they didn't line up either. Nor did the new gasket. I had to awl the gasket openings a bit to prevent the new one from doing that.

[steeda423]

You try to save money by going with a cheaper part but then go through grief with install and/or results. I've learned that if you want it right, you need to go with a reputable part or vendor.

[iminhell]

W/O seeing it I've no clue.
Is the gasket hanging into the runner or missing the flange completely?


What this looks like to me is there is too much stress on the collector flange. This redistributes that stress to the header flange in a forward direction. That lifts the header flange away form the head and causes a leak.
It's the reason for the factory bracket at the collector location.

I know it's the reason I went through 2 Focus Central headers. Both broke the welds at the collector merges. If I had, or if I could have got it to fit, the factory mount they'd of lasted longer.
The other car has some ebay header on it and I know the bottom is leaking near the head. If I lift the collector I can head the leak go away.
Problem is the factory bracket doesn't fit with any aftermarket header. So you have to make a sandwich style.

[HAILEYS_CRAZY_DADDY]

So if I'm understanding all this right it's best not to buy an ebay header

[stealthzx3]

Originally Posted by HAILEYS_CRAZY_DADDY

So if I'm understanding all this right it's best not to buy an ebay header

it's best not to buy anything mechanical or performance related from ebay. their parts are off brand, usually made of junk material, and majority of the time, doesn't fit correctly.