header what gaskets to use

[beandip]

I know that I have read here that for a head gasket to use factory origional, what about t he intake/exhoust ? I am installing headers not stock manifold .

[Zedguy]

Motorsport Auto in Orange, CA sells gaskets for headers. They say they will fit most 240z headers.

Zedguy

'73 240z

[beandip]

I can find gaskets I just want to do it right the first time. I really dislike having to redo , simply because of inferior quality. This is going on a 79 head and a 54 block.

[Ed]

I've heard people using both kinds of gaskets with positive results. Personally I used the MSA "special" gasket and it developed pin size cracks after a couple of months. Next time I replace it I believe I will coat the gasket with that High-temp copper silicone stuff. The other type gasket I've heard people use is the metal core type.

[beandip]

Its beyond cold there. since I have seen your posts I have been watching the temp in your area. If you were to drive your Z what wt oil would you use in the carbs. Karosine ?? Ha only kidding . Thanks for the heads up on the gasket material. I have never used headers on a aluiminum head up intill the Z they have all been cast iron. where can I find the copper sealent you mentioned , I haven't had the chance to check the local parts store. We have been having unseamly warm and dry weather for us . Here in portland we depend on snow pack on the mountains for our water and so far we are a 40% of normal . We have had rain but it has been too warm. Usually now we are havinng 20deg. weather in Portland at night when the skys clear. but this year its been barely below 32. And day time its been in the low 50s. Hang in spring is just around the corner. :classic:

[Zedguy]

I've read a number of good reports on the MSA header gaskets.....but, hey, who knows!! I have one that I plan on installing before the spring, so I guess I'll soon know.

I did a quick search of the Forum, since I know there has been some great posts on this topic. Here's one that 2manyZ's wrote recently:

"A lot of people just bolt on a header without thinking and then after a while it starts to leak or the header flange warps a little and they blame the header. Well, it may be the header and it may well have been prevented.

To those of us who have taken the intake and exhaust off a Z know that the studs and the cone shaped "washers" under them don't seem to be the best way to secure two separate manifolds to the head. One thing to check when installing a header is to check the thickness of the header flange as compared to the intake flange. If the header flange is even a little bit thinner than the mount on the intake you will not get the same amount of torque on both when you tighten the mounting nuts. If the header flange is thinner try a flat washer ( a little grinding might be necessary to clear the intake flange) under the cone so that when you torque the nut you will be applying the same ( or close to the same) torque to the header and the intake. A properly torqued header with a good quality gasket should not warp or leak, so take a couple extra minutes to check, you might save yourself a little grief later down the road. And before you slap that header on take a minute with a wide flat file to make sure those ports are flat and have no welding slag hanging off them to ruin the gasket. Just a light touch is all that is necessary, if you file too much you will end up with one port lower than the other and then you will have a leak for certain."

[2ManyZs]

Hey Gary, that dog just keeps getting uglier and uglier.....

I've used a couple types of gaskets on headers and have had the best luck with the gaskets that are completely covered with the "dimpled foil". You can sometimes find these in a gasket set but I can't remember which manufacturer that had them....

I've used the ones with the metal inserts as well, but you need to make sure the mating surface of the header is flat and you torque the mounting bolts. With the metal inserts, you really need to re-torque the mounting bolts after a few heat cycles, as the expansion and contraction of the metal insert against the aluminum head will often times cause the header to loosen up and then you get a leak.

For the money you can't hardly go wrong with the MSA gasket, but I have no experience with theirs. No matter which one you use, make sure the header has no welding slag and the ports are flat and most importantly, re-torque the header mounting bolts after a few heat cycles of the engine....

[Ed]

Another thing you should do is replace the stud bolts. These get brittle with age and sooner or later will break.

Yea it's pretty cold up here (a big difference from San Diego). I think the high today was about twelve . My poor Z hasn't been outside in a while:cry: :cry: .

[beandip]

This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for . I hadent thought of the flanges being different in thickness. I have already done the file clean up and plan to replace the mounting bolts with studs, seems like a better way to go . But thanks for the heads up on the washer arrangement . Now that I look back when I pulled the injection and headers off some one had ground the washers to I believe , clear the the intake and contact the flange of the header . I will be sure to check that closely , thanks. Also I am going to match the intake opening to to the head and gasket as well as the exhost to make sure alignment is as good as I can get it

[beandip]

Tah the ol girl is gitten a little tired looking , I think I am goin ta shave her arse and make her walk backward. I wuz goin to do braces on thos teeth but the eyes I candt figure what to do with that!

[beandip]

this post is tarting to look like a kennel.

[2ManyZs]

Well....

If you find another pic that is not so "anti-social" send it to me and I'll do the same as I did for that one.

If you taught it to walk backwards you'd have a "cyclops".....

Just remember, you asked for it, you got it....