exhaust gasket q

[mud hungry]

Hey guys I am getting frustrated with having to change out my exhaust manifold gasket on a 95 tahoe on the passenger side. This will be the third time in 2 1/2 years. Now I have heard that i might beable to buy a stainless steel gasket for it that woun't blow out all the time. The question is I don't even know if they exist and if they do I don't know where to get it. Any suggestions?

 

[Jason4x4]

Take your manifold to a machine shop and get it milled, It is probably warped, which is why you keep blowing gaskets.

 

[guz71]

Ive seen them at o-reillys before

 

[slyguy_22]

yeah i would get your manifold milled. im sure that it is warped. there is no reason you should need a stainless steel gasket for your exhaust. i know guys that have high compression drag cars that dont even run steel gaskets. and that has 2" pipes into a 4" collector! besides i would never buy the steel ones. i would get the aluminum ones that will crush and conform.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Resurface the exhaust manifold then paint the head surface where it bolts on then bolt the manifold on WITHOUT a gasket and use shakeproof washers on the bolts and never worry about an exhaust leak again. The trick is the shakeproof washers and the resurfacing of the manifold.

 

[Jason4x4]

what does the paint do, and by shakeproof I imagine you mean the split locking? I've always used ultra copper instead of a gasket.

 

[4X4HIGH]

what does the paint do, and by shakeproof I imagine you mean the split locking? I've always used ultra copper instead of a gasket.

The paint acts like a seal and shakeproof washers have either inside or outside serrations.

 

[wookieman]

Yes that manifold is probably warped. Don't get it milled, too much effort to fix such a small problem. What you need is a Mr.Gasket Ultra Seal exhaust gasket, #5916. This is a steel core/graphite faced gasket that will conform to the surface irregularities. This is guaranteed to fix the problem you are having. I use them on all my cars, and haven't changed one out in years.

The material will compress and conform to the uneven surface providing a leak proof seal. Guarantee you!!!!

 

[mdm365]

I had the same problem with mine I got these from summit.http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1∂=EAR%2D29DD3BERL&N=700+4294925237+4294921566+4294886211+400041+115&autoview=sku They are a little expensive but well worth the investment.I installed them 3 years ago never leaked and still going strong.The thing is if you ever have to remove them the next time all you need to get is the inserts they sell.summit also states that they are reusable.

 

[dyeager535]

Which gasket are you talking about? To my knowledge GM never used a gasket on the manifold to head side, so if it leaks there, it needs milled to go back to stock. I've never had problems even with the cheapy fel pro steel "waffle pattern" manifold to head gaskets, since I was using old manifolds and was broke at the time, it was that or leaks.

As to the outlet, if you don't have a heat riser, then don't use a gasket! GM made that a metal on metal connection because it works. Trying to add a gasket here invariably leads to leaks.

 

[K5er4Life]

Also, are you remembering to retorque the manifold after a few weeks? The only time I ever have had to replace gaskets when using manifolds was when I forgot to tighten up the bolts after the gasket "breaks in".

 

[mud hungry]

Great suggestion. I will check with the mr. gasket and the one at summit. while changing these what about the one that connects manifold to the y pipe. any suggestions on the one.

 

[slyguy_22]

lol i dont have one. have 3" to 2.5" adapter and band clamps. dosnt leak either.