Ed,

Might be a suggestion here.......make sure that when attaching to the header brace with the clamp the nut on the engine is loose...This will allow everything to seat. Also try an extra washer...I know you have said you used 2 what about 3 or 4....I had a special brass washer made that is about 3/32" thick and it doesn't compress like the copper ones but still is soft enought to make a good seal.

The deal is perhaps the nut is bottoming out before the header is really tight enough...Also when removing the header go with new washers....The old ones are compressed and will not give as good as fit.

Then if the brace is installed and nut tightened afterward the force should all be on the brace and not the nut. Just a thought...maybe the nut being tightened before the brace cinched down could be puting some force on the connection.

Give it a shot...........

Hey you going to Phoenix?


Troy