Exhaust manifold gaskets for stock headers

[Bad Buick]

Guys,
I had my headers off this winter (driver's was welded). I also had them high temp ceramic coated. I'm gearing up to having them installed,and I have a few questions regarding the Felpro gaskets. Ive seen the silver coloured ones on a couple of the vendors websites for cheap ($10). Ive heard of Felpro 1000, Felpro 1200,and Felpro 1400.What is the difference between the 3?
Is one set thicker than the other? How thick are the 1400s? Anyone know the part# for the 1400s? This is a job I want to do ONCE! I'd hate to have to pull a set of headers off because of gasket failure,all because of a few dollars. I also want these stock headers to seal up. With age,and any other sealing factors, I want the most durable, and best sealing quality gaskets I can get. Even if they are not Felpro. Ive seen copper gaskets,and the MILAM Laminate PSS130 material ones RJC Racing sells. Your input would be appreciated. From what I've read I'm kinda leaning toward the Felpro 1400s. On a side note to any Canadian owners...Is there a place in the Greater Toronto area where I could order these? I was in Part Source,and the moron at the parts counter looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked for Felpro 1400s Thanks Dave

 

[boosted84]

You dont need a gasket for the headers as long as it is flat surface to surface. They came from factory with no gasket from what ive heard. If you really need to use a gasket i would run the copper ones. i cant remember the thickness but someone will chime in. My experience with the felpros is they blow out easy thats how i came to learn no gasket is needed after replacing gasket 2 times. I run no gasket and have 0 leaks. You can do a search and will find more info this has been asked alot.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

We just started carrying these. Running them on my own GN and they work great.

Description on the material below! Also have header to turbo gaskets and turbo to downpipe gaskets. AND header gaskets for Stage 2 motors. IN STOCK. Not on the site yet so email me for prices.

• Seals Warped Flanges:

Remflex exhaust gaskets come in a standard 1/8-inch thickness and are designed to crush 50%. This allows them to fill gaps in the flange surface up to 1/16-inch!

• Won’t Burn Out:

100% flexible graphite construction means Remflex gaskets are good for up to 3,000 degrees F—far exceeding that of any vehicle’s exhaust system temperature!

• No Re-Torquing Necessary:

Gaskets rebound 30%, creating an optimum seal that eliminates the need to re-torque!


Unique flexible graphite material has been proven for more than 30 years in industrial applications, where temperatures routinely exceed 2,000 degrees—day after day, week after week, year after year. Now, we’re bringing this technology to enthusiasts of all kinds to eliminate exhaust leaks for good! Whether you have an old pick-up that needs a manifold gasket, or a race car with custom-built headers, you can be assured that Remflex exhaust gaskets will work properly the first time, every time.

The Science

The gaskets work because they solve the two main problems associated with sealing an exhaust flange: Warping, and gasket failure.

Warped Reality

A common misconception is that, if you spend a lot of money for high-quality headers with thick flanges, leaks will not be an issue. In truth, a thicker flange does help, but it can’t solve the problem of warping altogether. Constant thermal cycling, especially in high performance and/or high-load environments, causes warping of header flanges and cast iron exhaust manifolds--even the exhaust flange of the cylinder head itself.

Once the sealing surface is warped, leaks are imminent—and once there is a leak, pitting of the exhaust port sealing surface usually follows. A new set of average gaskets won’t fix the problem—but these gaskets, with a 50% crush built in—can seal gaps as large as 1/16-inch. And unlike traditional gaskets, they won’t shrink, so they never require re-torquing.

If you can’t take the heat…

Curiously, the number one cause of exhaust gasket failure is heat—the very thing exhaust gaskets are supposed to withstand. That’s because traditional exhaust gaskets are made of composite materials—blends of natural fibers and synthetic compounds that are bound together using rubber. Simply put, it’s only a matter of time until the extreme temperature in the vehicle’s exhaust system burns the gasket’s composite materials away, resulting in an exhaust leak.

You’ve no doubt experienced the pungent odor that arises from the engine compartment after you install a new set of the top-brand exhaust gaskets. That’s the smell of the rubber binders in the composite materials that begin to burn out almost immediately. And once the rubber overheats, it begins to shrink, as well has harden. That’s why you are instructed to re-torque the gaskets regularly, and why an exhaust leak will develop if you don’t. These gaskets are made from 100% flexible graphite and can withstand up to 3,000 degrees F—so they are not affected by exhaust system, and won’t burn out, shrink, or leak. Not now, not ever!

 

[GNeric]

My present GN is the only TR I have ever run header gaskets on and it had Champion Aluminums. All my others were cast iron heads and never had leaks. I always torque bolts to specs too.

 

[1KWIKSIX]

Remflex Recommended Torque Values

Looks like it may be a great alternative to Fel Pro 1400's, but just wondering?

The factory recommends the header bolts be tightened to 37 ft/bs torque. I had heard that when using the REMFLEX header gaskets to only use 20 ft/lbs torque on the install. Something to do with the over torquing will crush the gasket beyond it's use.

Here's the response I rec'd from Remflex regarding their suggested torque installation values.....just wondering if this will hold when running high boost levels or will it be prone to blow out?

dave

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recommended torque on that gasket is 15-17 FT LBS.

Thank You

Rem Sr.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

That's why I tried them out on my GN first, holding up fine to repeated 24 lbs of boost.

 

[Nick Micale]

If you have sealing problems, and the header flange is warped, the Remflex will probably blow out in a short time. May work like that on street use, but high boost at the track is a different story.

Generally, the Felpro 1400 has given us the best sealing for iron heads.

We have not found any gasket better than the coppers for alum heads, especially if studs are used instead of bolts. Some copper sets have been re-used 5-6 times.

Only my opinion from working on 2-3 GN's a week for lots of years.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

If you have sealing problems, and the header flange is warped, the Remflex will probably blow out in a short time.

Have you actually had this happen or are you surmising???

 

[Bad Buick]

Mark, How much are these Remflex gaskets? Also...where can I get the lead donut gasket that is between the elbow on the turbo to the stock downpipe? I'm not even sure what dia. it is. Any help,or info on this header gasket dilemma is appreciated. By the way.This car is strickly a street/show car. No track use. Thanks Dave

 

[Nick Micale]

Have you actually had this happen or are you surmising???

Yes, I did have one blow out, or burn through, whichever was the case. I installed a 4 bolt turbo Remflex gasket on my car over a year ago, and it is still good after having gone through a few turbo changes.

Guess I should have used a better word than "opinion" in my post, sorry.:smile:

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Now on my site ............. Gaskets