Exhaust Header Gaskets? Yea, or Nay?

[~JM~]

Thoughts on the use of a gasket between exhaust header flange & the head?

No gasket?

Copper gasket?

High-temp RTV?

[Steve Wood]

For years, I only used a thin smear of hi temp on both sides of the gasket.  These days, I suspect most manifolds have at least a little warp to them.  I would probably suggest the felpro gaskets with a thin smear on both sides of them and let them sit over night before starting.

[nocooler]

Felpro 1400 gaskets, dry. 

[gnonyx]

After removing both headers for weld job, machine shop resurfaced with a sand belt both headers from being a little warp, and twice of replacing the Remflex, and copper gaskets, I decided to used Ultra Copper gasket maker from Permatex. Using no gasket is originally from the factory, just use Permatex stuff. I apply about 1/8" layer let is cure a little bit as direction, and then assemble and torque, and don't start until the next day.

[Forzfed]

I have had good luck with the Remflex.  But no gasket would be the best way to go.  I never even needed sealant till the manifolds started to break in places and I had to weld them up.

[Just a Six?]

When I put mine together a few months back I used my big file to go over the headers & the heads to hit any high spots (they weren't too bad) put them on without any sealant & so far they sound good although I'm not beating on the car & only have maybe 400 miles on it. Before winter I'll pop them off & see how they look & maybe get some gaskets or some sealer if needed.

[~JM~]

When I put mine together a few months back I used my big file to go over the headers & the heads to hit any high spots (they weren't too bad) put them on without any sealant & so far they sound good although I'm not beating on the car & only have maybe 400 miles on it. Before winter I'll pop them off & see how they look & maybe get some gaskets or some sealer if needed.

I've done about the same with a large file. Think I will apply a bead of Ultra Copper RTV.

[Steve Wood]

use it as a glue, not a thick bead for a gasket.  If it is thick, it will get pushed out

[~JM~]

use it as a glue, not a thick bead for a gasket.  If it is thick, it will get pushed out

Thanks