sealing exhaust manifold to heads

[Rackned]

Hi just a quick question does anyone seal the gaskets between the heads and exhaust manifolds? And if so what do you use?

On other vehicle builds I’ve just used a smear of grease.

Thanks

Mark

[sujitroy]

No gaskets from the factory. but folks are making them. I had the faces of my exhaust manifolds belt sanded by my machine shop. A thing to consider, they act as a heat sync and I suppose help draw heat away from the block. Adding gaskets can prevent that.
Sujit

[NeilR]

They are TR7 gaskets.
The 2 Litre TR7 didn't have issues drawing heat from the block, so why would a 1500 stag head.

[mole42]

The first time I did my heads I didn’t use exhaust gaskets and the manifold joints leaked. The second time I did my heads (40,000 miles later) I used gaskets and they’ve been good since…..

[Rackned]

I did wonder because when I took them off there were no gaskets.

So heat transfer my be a small risk but leaks are not good either.

What a dilemma. Not sure what to do now.

[Rackned]

So if I use the they go on with a smear of grease

[richardthestag]

gaskets blew out of mine within 500 miles

20150617_194452.jpg

just exhaust paste had been in for over 3000miles now

Factory didn't fit gaskets for a reason I guess

[Lingen]

I have never used exhaust manifold gaskets on any Stag engine I have fitted in over 20+ years. Just assembly paste, and never any problems.
Mike.

[jbuckl]

The gaskets were supplied because people asked for them. (Not original fitment) No gasket used at this joint.
Mostly it seems they are made from a material that relaxes & causes leaks once the clamp load is lost.

[DJT]

I used gaskets when I fitted stainless manifolds. The heads were off to do the head gaskets. One blew after a couple of thousand miles. It would be the RH side, which is a real PITA to change in situ. So far, this one has lasted much longer….