I installed a new Ebay header on my Civic with D16z6. My Megan Racing catback with decat seems to be 2cm short of what it should be as I have to pull the exhaust and header to eachother, I also have that with the stock header. While driving I apparently lost one of the 3 bolts that keeps the 2 parts together. The bolt I lost was the one on the side of the bumper, the only one on that side. There are 2 more on the side of the engine. So my header started to leak.

When I discovered that it started to leak I also discovered I lost a bolt. I've put another bolt on it and pulled it really tight but it still leaks on the corners of the flanges at the side of the bumper. I think the flanges bent because the tension on the exhaust pulled the header backward when the my exhaust became hot and they probably arent flat anymore...Do you guys think I'm right about this? Can this be fixed some easy way? Or is it cheaper to buy another header?

 

Naah, most likely its the exhaust gasket that is leaking now. hot gasses passing by it quickly disintegrate it.

 

The gasket is a 2 layer metal gasket. On one side part of the upper gasket part is blown away. On the other side it isn't however and it still leaks there. Could it still be the gasket then?

 

I'd replace it, I've yet to see a header that was so warped that it wouldnt straighten enough to seal with the bolts.