Intake and exhaust gasket

[mmagnus]

I am installing MSA 6-1 header and also my tripple carb set up. The headers came with a gasket, but looks pretty cheap. Has anyone used this gasket or can someone recommend where to buy a better one.

Thanks

Mark

[seerex]

The header gasket they send us had always worked fine for me. I fyou read up in threads, i have heard diffrent results but mostly positive. I just recommend cleaning the header flanges where it attaches very well to make sure its a perfectly flat fit. By the way if the intake and exhaust isn't offalready you might want to pick up new studs and bolts with the expectation of breakage.Good luck

[Zpeed]

as he said about cleaning the surfaces...

what i found the best gasket was the gasket that had metal, maybe alluminuim around it and gasket paper inside, i didnt blow this for 8months rather than the crappy looking ones lasted 1 month etc... i don't remember the name, as its in australia anyway.

[mmagnus]

The headers and manifold are going on a fresh rebuilt motor (see my gallery) so i am not worried about the surface being clean. I would like to however find some new studs and bolts. Do you know where you can buy them? I am missing the studs for the maniforld and the studs for the headers are from the original motor so they should be replaced.

Thanks

Mark

[seerex]

I would try courtesy parts in texas or msa .

http://www.courtesyparts.com/

http://www.motorsportauto.com

Also check tep they may carry a hight grade set too, i know they carry arp bolts.

http://www.racetep.com/

Good luck

[mmagnus]

I just called MSA. They do carry the stud kit that comes with the nuts and they also carry the washer kit for the header maniforld. $24 for both with shipping. Now i just need to find a felpro gasket and sealant and i am good to go!

Thanks

[seerex]

I would try napa or just ask you local parts place that isn't a discount type store and most can get you a specific name gasket if you ask . Probably under 12 bucks

[240ZX]

If you want the most happening studs, call up ARP fasteners and tell them the size and quantity you need. They are very helpful folks and truely support the motorsport industry. Their studs are a high grade SS and they have an allen socket drive on one end for easy install. Another good tip for reliability on the gasket.....be sure to check the torque on the stud nuts every once and a while...especially right after the first couple of engine heat cycles.

[Bambikiller240]

Mark: Since Dave Rebello built your motor, and he's relatively just down the street from you, I'd contact him. He might just hand you a handful of studs, and I'm sure he can recommend a great gasket for you. Probably (possibly) better than a Fel-Blow.

[beandip]

The guru for head work Phred , recommends the MSA performance gasket,above all others . He uses them on race as well as street engines. I think you missunderstood what was ment about checking the header surfaces , for a flat fit. Take a file and lay it flat accross the flange length wise and see if there are any high spots or low spots and file untill flat. Also check the thickness of your intake and the header plate and if they are not the same thickness or close , you may need to grind the washers to compinsate. Gary

[gnosez]

I too have a Rebello engine w/triples and I've had the MSA header gasket (cardboard like material) on my Z for 2 yrs (10,000 very hard miles) with no problems. Getting the intake and exhaust manifolds to line up correctly was a bear and required multiple attempts with the grinder to get the header right. The intake was fine, it was the coated MSA header that was off. I was pretty pissed after I completed this but it has never caused a problem since.

[mmagnus]

Thanks for all the great info guys. I will go ahead with the MSA stud bolts. I ordered the Felpro gasket to see how it compares to the one that came with the header. Thanks

Mark