Exhaust Manifold Gaskets
Discussion
Replacing the manifold gaskets on my 450, got the old ones out this evening and they're looking pretty bad despite only being a few thousand miles old. I would imagine they were not the best quality items.
Which are the best to replace them with? Are these ones any good?
https://tvr-parts.com/tvr-parts/part-details/tvr-s...
Which are the best to replace them with? Are these ones any good?
https://tvr-parts.com/tvr-parts/part-details/tvr-s...
Are they slippers your wearing lol.
Six of one, Half a dozen of the other it seems to me with exhaust gaskets.
I actually think the problems lie where the gasket fouls the manifolds so traps or forces gases past that bit that’s dark at the top of your gasket.
It’s just a mm or so but enough to cause heat and pressure maybe and why some people have issues with gaskets and others don’t.
I’d you can offer up whatever new gaskets you use to your manifolds and trim them to suit it might just help preserve the gaskets and give you slightly better flow out the heads.
The gaskets are already larger than the exhaust ports in the heads so you have no problems trimming those gaskets to suit the manifolds.
Six of one, Half a dozen of the other it seems to me with exhaust gaskets.
I actually think the problems lie where the gasket fouls the manifolds so traps or forces gases past that bit that’s dark at the top of your gasket.
It’s just a mm or so but enough to cause heat and pressure maybe and why some people have issues with gaskets and others don’t.
I’d you can offer up whatever new gaskets you use to your manifolds and trim them to suit it might just help preserve the gaskets and give you slightly better flow out the heads.
The gaskets are already larger than the exhaust ports in the heads so you have no problems trimming those gaskets to suit the manifolds.
Check how flat the manifold mating surface is too, it might be out of shape.
The bolts do tend to loosen off a little with heat cycles so should be checked now and again, you may just find they needed tightening.
Some choose to use the ARP bolts with lock washers to re assemble as they have a smaller 10 mm head and allow the use of a smaller spanner for ease of access.
The bolts do tend to loosen off a little with heat cycles so should be checked now and again, you may just find they needed tightening.
Some choose to use the ARP bolts with lock washers to re assemble as they have a smaller 10 mm head and allow the use of a smaller spanner for ease of access.
They are slip on shoes that I wouldn't be seen dead in outside the garage! May have slipped up with that picture...
I am having the manifold flanges skimmed anyway because there are a few areas of corrosion on the mating faces (learned my lesson with this in the past....), I will check that the gaskets align well with the manifold before fitment as well.
I think part of the issue is the lack of torque checking after fitment previously.
So the TVR parts gaskets should do the job?
I am having the manifold flanges skimmed anyway because there are a few areas of corrosion on the mating faces (learned my lesson with this in the past....), I will check that the gaskets align well with the manifold before fitment as well.
I think part of the issue is the lack of torque checking after fitment previously.
So the TVR parts gaskets should do the job?
Adam205 said:
They are slip on shoes that I wouldn't be seen dead in outside the garage! May have slipped up with that picture...
I am having the manifold flanges skimmed anyway because there are a few areas of corrosion on the mating faces (learned my lesson with this in the past....), I will check that the gaskets align well with the manifold before fitment as well.
I think part of the issue is the lack of torque checking after fitment previously.
So the TVR parts gaskets should do the job?
Yep that’s basically what it is. They are only nipped up in reality so bound to be a tad loose once everything settles. I actually added some red gasket sealer when doing mine which helped prevent them leaking while they settled then nipped up again and had no problems there after. Not sure if the sealer made any difference or more because I took the time to check them regularly as one or two often seems loose for the first few months after. I am having the manifold flanges skimmed anyway because there are a few areas of corrosion on the mating faces (learned my lesson with this in the past....), I will check that the gaskets align well with the manifold before fitment as well.
I think part of the issue is the lack of torque checking after fitment previously.
So the TVR parts gaskets should do the job?
It looks like your exhaust bolts weren't that tight. Is that blow by?
Best to remove the manifolds and thue up the meeting faces. You can do that easily at home by draw filing.
Clean the faces on the cylinder heads and and treat yourself to some good quality gaskets. The ones that TVR Car Parts should be fine alternatively try Powers, they will definitely do quality items.
Make sure you fit the gaskets the right way round, it is easy if you're not paying attention to fit them so that the gasket is blocking part of the ports by not having them round the right way.
Make sure not to over tighten as you don't want to pull the threads in the heads.
As for the bolts coming loose. They usually do! I remember reading in the TVR service manual, tightening of the exhaust manifold bolts is recommended on every service!
I have tried Nordlocks but they still loosened. Don't be tempted to use stainless steel bolts that are available as the spring washers will not cut into them and they will loosen prematurely.
Best to remove the manifolds and thue up the meeting faces. You can do that easily at home by draw filing.
Clean the faces on the cylinder heads and and treat yourself to some good quality gaskets. The ones that TVR Car Parts should be fine alternatively try Powers, they will definitely do quality items.
Make sure you fit the gaskets the right way round, it is easy if you're not paying attention to fit them so that the gasket is blocking part of the ports by not having them round the right way.
Make sure not to over tighten as you don't want to pull the threads in the heads.
As for the bolts coming loose. They usually do! I remember reading in the TVR service manual, tightening of the exhaust manifold bolts is recommended on every service!
I have tried Nordlocks but they still loosened. Don't be tempted to use stainless steel bolts that are available as the spring washers will not cut into them and they will loosen prematurely.
There is a bar across between each pair of ports. There is also a bar across the gaskets.
Once you have confirmed you have the gaskets round the right way cable tie the gasket to the bar.
Fit the manifolds then cut off the cable ties.
Without this you will waste time poking with a stick under the car trying to retrieve the gasket you dropped. You also then run the risk of fitting the retrieved gasket the wrong way round.
Steve
Once you have confirmed you have the gaskets round the right way cable tie the gasket to the bar.
Fit the manifolds then cut off the cable ties.
Without this you will waste time poking with a stick under the car trying to retrieve the gasket you dropped. You also then run the risk of fitting the retrieved gasket the wrong way round.
Steve
Steve_D said:
There is a bar across between each pair of ports. There is also a bar across the gaskets.
Once you have confirmed you have the gaskets round the right way cable tie the gasket to the bar.
Fit the manifolds then cut off the cable ties.
Without this you will waste time poking with a stick under the car trying to retrieve the gasket you dropped. You also then run the risk of fitting the retrieved gasket the wrong way round.
Steve
This ^ Once you have confirmed you have the gaskets round the right way cable tie the gasket to the bar.
Fit the manifolds then cut off the cable ties.
Without this you will waste time poking with a stick under the car trying to retrieve the gasket you dropped. You also then run the risk of fitting the retrieved gasket the wrong way round.
Steve
in all fairness those gaskets above look s
te 
but like Phased said looks like you may have lost clamping on the joint (slackening bolts) they have no fire ring surrounding the port that the good ones do either , found this so you can SWIM 
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