exhaust gaskets/fitting

[skdmrx]

Once the v8 is in the cedric I never want to have to remove it so i really really dont want any exhaust leaks.so I need to know

1.Whats the best type of gasket to use and where to buy/get it made
2.Tricks and tips for future safe extractor fitting,what washers/nuts to use,cement or not.

Someone please help so i can do some work on this thing again

[DJZ]

Sorry I don't know the car, what kind of V8 is going into it?

If it's anything made recently the gaskets will probably be thin steel ones, sometimes multi layer depending on who makes them. You shouldn't really need to use any sealant on them as long as the flanges are flat but I've used copper gasket spray and also some of the high temp silicon sealant on different occasions.

Depending on what the flanges look like and how much room you've got I'd either use those flange nuts that are kind of serrated on one side, or Nordlocks or something similar. Spring washers normally won't last very long as the heat usually makes them flatten out and lose their springiness.

[skdmrx]

Thanks dude.its a nissan vh41,mid 90's engine.seems I can only get genuine gaskets anyway.

[dirtyleppa]

i wouldve used genuine gaskets in this case anyway john. as for nuts/bolts. maybe replace all the studs with new fresh ones, and maybe see what the genuine nuts look like. as james said, spring washers arent great. you could also try blacks fasteners and ask them for a specific nut to use on an exhaust system. i would advise against using any cement/silicon, as that will eventually breakdown and deteriorate.

[Bartman]

If you're pulling out the motor, you may as well hold them on with capscrews. (Thats what I had to use on the pacemakers on my V8.

I actually rate high temp RTV on header flanges. RTV is complete shite, but it seems to have been a permanant fix for the ongoing header flange leaks that I had been otherwise unable to cure.

[85_Z31]

I have never had any issues using a copper gasket spray on a metal exhaust manifold gasket.

My cylinder heads also have high tensile studs & matched copper lock nuts, it was definitely worth it to replace the studs & nuts.

[skdmrx]

thanks folks.is there special copper gasket spray or do you just use that weld thru copper spray stuff?Also where did you go for new studs/nuts?

[Bartman]

I assume they're talking about copper head gasket cement. You can buy it in a rattle can. VHT make it. I might even have a can leftover from glueing my steel head saver shim to my A15 block.
I'll take a gander tommorrow.

[unlimitedpower]

Could you use stainless nuts on the new studs? Ive noticed that alot of exhausts have stainless nuts at the 4-1 section. At least they shouldn't corrode like steel nuts would.

I do like the idea of stainless cap screws though would make removing headers much much easier if it ever has to be done as you wouldn't have to lift them out over studs.

[Bartman]

Stainless does have a bad habbit of "picking up" in the threads.