Remflex saved my future marriage

[mtthmpsn]

I finally got around to replacing my manifold gasket yesterday with the remflex I bought a while back (thanks to recommendations here). It's like a brand new truck. I must have had some really bad exhaust and intake leaks. It runs much quieter (no more pinging under load), smoother, and can finally idle at 650 without stalling. Maybe best of all the horrible gas smell in the exhaust is gone (or at least greatly reduced) and my fiance will ride in it again. She was even riding in one of the jump seats last night, although I think she was a bit drunk.

For those interested, all it took was scraping off the old gasket, some very minor filing and sanding some parts of the exhaust headers, and then bolting everything back on with the remflex in place (no sealant). I'm glad I used a torque wrench because the recommended torque from remflex (12-17 ft-lbs) was much less than you'd think you'd need. We'll see how long it goes without retightening.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share. I can't believe the difference no leaks makes. - Matt

 

[high country cruiser]

hmmmm......

Please fill us in on the definition "rem flex" ?
I used a water neck housing gasket that was made of aluminum w/ a seal in the middle works great and no problems..........

 

[D'Animal]

RemFlex is a brand that Iron Gaint sells

 

[LXCRSR]

FSM states the torque for the intake and exhaust manifolds to be 29 to 36 ft-lb. RemFlex's 12 to 17 ft-lb sounds a little light. I guess time will tell.

 

[mtthmpsn]

Yeah, I was torn between the two recommended torques, Remflex and the FJ manual, but since the Remflex (thick soft graphite type manifold) claims to crush to 50% and then applies spring-back force to keep the manifold bolts from loosening, I went with their torque. I didn't want to "overcrush" it. A search on this site will give others' experiences with it. I did put some thread-lock on the bolts, but I doubt that it'd hold up in those temperatures anyhow. Like you said, time will tell.

 

[Copenhagen1]

I can tell you from experience that you need to go with Remflex torque specs. I had a "mechanic" do my first one and he probably ran into the same issue of which specs to go with. He chose the factory specs and the Remflex did not last. It split in a couple places and I had the same old exhaust leaks again within a few hundred miles.

Iron Giant read about my fate and offered me a replacement(I didn't even buy the first one from him). I took him up on the offer and did the work myself this time. It has been on there for about 3000 miles now and still going strong. Thanks again iron giant.

According to Remflex, you are not supposed to retorque.

Kerry

 

[iron_giant]

Torque specifications are determined by several factors (flange type and material, gasket material, fastener type...) and when you change one of these factors the torque specs change. The OEM torque specifications are for the OEM combination of these factors. Because of the difference in clamping characteristics between the OEM gasket and the Remflex gasket, be sure to use the Remflex specifications. As stated above, overtorquing the Remflex gasket can cause it to crack. In fact, the primary reason for the 50% "crush" referred to is not to seal the irregularities between flanges, but to achieve maximum tensile strength. The ability to seal irregularities in the flanges is just a highly desirable side effect.

 

[wdFJ40]

Well... I just torqued mine to factory specs. Can I "un-torque" it and be OK.... haven't run it yet.

 

[iron_giant]

Well... I just torqued mine to factory specs. Can I "un-torque" it and be OK.... haven't run it yet.

I wouldn't "un-torque" the manifold. I would suggest running it as it is. Some have made the same mistake and have had no problems with leaks, while a few others have had trouble from over-torquing. I've only had two gaskets come back and both seem to be problems from from over-torquing. One looked as though it had been torqued well beyond OEM specs, and the other I just took the customers word for. Also, don't forget that you are covered for six months.

David

 

[apeterson]

I just wanted to say I have used them and had problems but it was because of my intake being warped.... David stands behind his product and sent me a new one because it would not seal..... I would not hesitate to buy from him again and recommend you buy from him.... Plus if I remember right he had the best price anyway... so it is a win win...

 

[wdFJ40]

Thanks, I don't think I'll be up and running in 6 months. But I'll replace when/if it fails.

 

[josharre2000]

I torqued mine to 17lbs 2 years ago and no issues at all. Do not torque and back off with a Remflex gasket... It will crush and you will have leaks. Just hit it with 17 and enjoy.