RE: [ihc] header gaskets

[Seay Capt Matthew R <seaymr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Steve,

	I have the same gaskets that you describe and checked for a
reasonably straight surface.  I've found the gaskets to be very brittle,
even before they get subjected to heat.  I probably did over tightened the
bolts...did use never-seize, but still torqued them too much.  With the
stock manifolds, the center line design isnt as big of deal becasue amount
of iron spreads the force of the bolt over a larger surface area. When I
talked with some of the local mechanics and custom exhaust shops, they
critizied the center bolt design of the headers because of where the force
was being applied on the header is small and not spread much to the top and
bottom relative to the ports.   I am getting ready to put my headers back on
a rebuilt engine and want to do it right.

Matt


-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Stegmann [mailto:steve.stegmann@domain.elided]
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 10:48 AM
To: Seay Capt Matthew R; 'ihc-digest@domain.elided'
Subject: Re: [ihc] header gaskets 


Hmmmm...  I have Stan's headers and my gaskets are a
thick white substance and I've never had a problem.

Have you used a straight edge to see if the manifold
is reasonably straight and the head sealing surface is
staright?

I put never sieze on the bolts which lets me torque
them better.  Be careful not to over torque, this
could cause what you describe.

Steve

--- Seay Capt Matthew R <seaymr@domain.elided> wrote:
> Tom R.
> 
> 	Saw your posts about the copper header gasket.  How
> is it working
> for you?  I too have problems with the header gasket
> from Stan's getting
> brittle and breaking.   Thinking back to my statics
> class in college and
> thought that the problem is bigger than the gasket,
> it makes sense that
> since the bolts are centerlined on the exhaust, when
> torqued down they put
> much more force on the center than on the top or
> bottom of the exhaust
> ports.  (which is where I see evidence of exhaust
> gasses excaping the
> gasket)
> 
> 	Solution?  Who thinks that I can cut a peice of
> angle iron that
> would transfer some of the torqe to the top and
> bottom of the exhaust ports.
> Or is there another method out there that makes a
> better seal on Stan's
> headers.  I would be interested to hear what others
> have done.  Thanks.
> 
> 
> Matt Seay