Manifold gasket, whats the real deal?

[Finally Mine]

Changing out the manifold gasket on my 78 FJ40 and have read a few posts regarding this. There are many views and opinions out there! So, do I really need two manifold gaskets, and permatex gasket sealant? I changed the gasket out five years ago, is this something I can expect to do every five years or so? Also what is the purpose of the heat riser gasket that SOR sells? Is this essential to keep or can I remove the one I put in there the last time I changed out the manifold gasket?

Steve

 

[Fast Eddy]

The heat riser plate that SOR sells will tend to prevent the heat from the exhaust manifold from cracking the aluminum manifold.

Not sure what gasket to use. I seem to remember that Mark A. has a strong opinion. You could call him and ask: Marks Off Road Home Page. Or you could search...

 

[Pighead]

I've changed a few intake/exhaust manifold gaskets in the 25 years I've owned this Pig. Especially during the Smog years...
IMHO, 5 years is not bad for that gasket. Especially if you did not religiously re-torque those manifold nuts/bolts in the interim..one should always re-torque several times in the first week and once a week for the next several months.
You should not need 2 gaskets. But you should examine your fitment closely and be ready to do some clearancing with a Dremel or bigger grinder. I like the permatex copper stuff for that gasket, all mating surfaces.
Always had good luck with the Fel-pro gasket, just recently tried the Remflex gasket. No complaints as yet.

 

[Pin_Head]

5 years is about right. Vibration contributes to their death, so long heavy manifolds tend to fail sooner than short, light ones. Retorquing often helps. I had the best luck with Remflex, but some don't like them.

 

[flaa1a]

X 2 on the Remflex....

 

[77mustard40]

Got a lot of practice chasing a leak, finally successful with OEM dry and filed washers to get the manifold ears exact at each bolt location. We will see how long it holds up.

 

[ColonelMustardFJ40]

3X on the Remflex

 

[ccasteel]

Heard a lot about the remflex gaskets, so even though I already had a new toyota gasket, I ordered a remflex to compare before putting it back together. According to remfles, their gasket is designed to compress and absorb bigger gaps. From the looks of these, it definitely will. Here's a couple pics of the differences. The remflex is on the bottom in the first and on the right in the second. Remflex is easily twice as thick as toyota. I bought mine from amazon and I forget the exact price, but it was comparable to toyota. Plus it came with the gaskets for bolting the intake and exhaust manifolds together. Put it in today, so I have no long term results to share.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

I have also used the Remflex gaskets. They do crush and fill large gaps. The instructions say to torque to factory specs. Worked very well on a one piece header with a bit of a wave in it.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, If you have owned American, swedish or other cars this is no different. No harder to install. I would use a Toyota gasket. Ive done Mercruisers and tractors. Clean ,dry, flat surfaces is the rule. Get in a hurry and do sloppy work they ALL FAIL. Mike

 

[Mark W]

I swear by Felpro intake gaskets. And swear at Victor.

Double gasketing is just a tool for sealing warped or damaged manifolds. works well when a single is not thick enough. But a single quality gasket is usually enough. No sealant will survive the heat of the exhaust for long anyway, so do not bother.

Mark...

 

[ColonelMustardFJ40]

I have also used the Remflex gaskets. They do crush and fill large gaps. The instructions say to torque to factory specs. Worked very well on a one piece header with a bit of a wave in it.

Actually the Remflex gasket should be torqued per their instructions which is a lower torque level than factory specs. Instructions state 20-25 ft lbs, install dry and re-tightening in not required. Just saying.

 

[1973Guppie]

remflex.