Need a good gasket

[LazarusMJ]

Is there a company that makes an intake/exhaust gasket for the '87-'90 4.0 that is all metal (something similar to the Seal-for-Good gaskets that Percy's makes for chevy, ford and dodge motors.)

I need to change it and I want to use a gasket that will last. I searched the web and Naxja threads and found nothing close to an answer.

 

[5-90]

I'd toss the idea around with the guys that make the Pro-Copper gaskets (SCI?) or use the OEMR gasket as a pattern to cut one out of copper sheet yourself, then anneal it to make it "dead soft."

Here are a few tips for helping the OEMR gasket...

Coat lightly with RTV Copper - both sides. LIGHT but EVEN coat - consistency is important!

Make sure you have the little "dish" washers on your bolts and studs when you put it all together. Order replacements if you don't.

I HIGHLY suggest the use of brass or bronze bolts of some variety - they'll hold up better than the steel.

Use LocTite 272 to retain the bolts - even if you have to go buy it. It's worth the trip - it's also the only formulation that's actually DESIGNED for exhaust hardware.

Check the bolt torque about once a year. I find this handy - and I usually catch one that's worked loose a bit.

That's all off the top of my head.

5-90

 

[LazarusMJ]

I'd toss the idea around with the guys that make the Pro-Copper gaskets (SCI?) or use the OEMR gasket as a pattern to cut one out of copper sheet yourself, then anneal it to make it "dead soft."

You mean I can make my own gasket? Are there special tools that i would need to do this?

 

[5-90]

Just make sure you follow the pattern cleanly, keep it nice and flat, and deburr all sharp edges - especially in the exhaust ports!

Copper is usually annealed by heating significantly (say, 600-800*) and dropping into cold water.

If you do this, please be sure to write it up and take pix! I figure using 1/16" or 3/32" copper (.060-.090") should be enough for this.

5-90

 

[LazarusMJ]

thanks for the info 5-90. I just finished contacting SCE Gaskets and Percy's High Performance, asking if they would include the 4.0 in their lines of gaskets. Maybe something will happen with them, but I don't want to wait.

You say that .060-.090 copper will work fine, and I assume you mean just one piece. I have one question though.

What if I annealed a few pieces and layer them like the Seal-for-good gaskets? Would that be to hard to do, or do you think it would be hard to bind the layers together? Just tossing out some ideas.

I have minimal metal working experience, And if I make my own part I want to do it right so if you think just one layer will outlast the common parts store gasket I will try it.

And yeah, if this is the route i take I will definatly take many pictures and notes.

 

[MudDawg]

A gasket isn't too hard to make...I used to make them for the "backyard Honda 750 to 836 bore kits" before anyone sold a gasket for the application.
Use a well fitting stock gasket as a pattern..use dead soft copper sheet as material...the most commonly available thickness is .045...A good set of gasket punches and a piece of hardwood will help greatly with the holes...and some good left and right hand aviaton shears (red and green handles). a 1/2" round rasp and a flat rasp is handy too..take your time....use a straight edge and feeler guages to check the manifolds for warping...if they are warped, the copper will not seal since it has very little crush at the available clamping torque.

Or if you don't want to spend hours making one, you can just go buy a Felpro gasket and properly install it.

 

[LazarusMJ]

Or if you don't want to spend hours making one, you can just go buy a Felpro gasket and properly install it.

I'd rather spend the time to make one, seen as I work at AutoZone and already bought and returned a Felpro gasket. They are only pressed paper with very thin metal folded over the exhaust port holes. I was severly disappointed when I opened the box, as I USED to swear by Felpro.

 

[BLSXJ]

the gasket that came with my banks torque tube was real nice, I'm not sure if they would sell them sepratly but if they doit might be your answer. when I rebuilt I had the choice of fell-pro or banks gasket and the choice was clear.

 

[5-90]

I haven't had any trouble with Fel-Pro - although I use them because Victor/Reinz is such a pain to find around here.

I don't see a lot of need to layer up a gasket - simply because you then have to find a way to bind the layers together. Also thinking on it - it might be best to not fully anneal the copper - and use a little RTV copper like you would with the fibre gasket - which will allow potential reuse of the copper gasket. Just a thought.

I used to do a lot of copper gaskets for Briggs & Stratton & Techumseh engines, and even for SBC and MOPAR every now and then. I'll have to see if I have any notes out here on how I did it - or just take a "memory walk" and see what I can find in the Archives...

5-90

 

[LazarusMJ]

Thanks guys. with all this info I should be able to whip something up. When its finished I will Post a write up for all to share.

 

[bajacalal]

Get one at NAPA it should be a metal one and Victor Reinz brand which is a part of DANA and we all like them right.

 

[LazarusMJ]

Get one at NAPA it should be a metal one and Victor Reinz brand which is a part of DANA and we all like them right.

OK cool. I'll have to check that out. thanks

 

[corbinafly]

Get one at NAPA it should be a metal one and Victor Reinz brand which is a part of DANA and we all like them right.

Yeah. That's the one I got from NAPA. Much better quality than the fel-pro.

K