Sorry if this the wrong spot to post. I am in need of the triangle shaped 3 bolt gasket for the heat riser on the 1981 350 ci exhaust system. I have looked at all the usual places and can't find one anywhere. Any advice?
My exhaust system is solid except for the connections to the headers/y pipes. I am getting a "ticking" sound when idling and had it inspected by a good muffler shop in my town. They said the heat riser gasket is leaking and the connections to the headers/y pipe are leaking. They said I didn't need "donut" gaskets for the y pipe connections. Any advice?
Anybody tell me where to get a heat-riser gasket for a 1981 Corvette?

 

Did 81s have one ?

 

that's what they said.

 

No.
Try one for a 68-74 if you still want one.

 

That's what I thought but couldn't remember when GM stopped using them, I generally try to stay away from gaskets if I can.

 

yep no gasket. I got so tried of it I changed my exhaust to Hooker headers and side pipes.

 

No heat riser gaskets after 1974, this includes the 80-81 EFE vacuum controlled heat risers.

 

Then this gasket off my 78 is not OEM? then why am I saving it

 

I was surprised to find one on MY 78SA!
I 'know' it's not supposed to be there and it's an original 1400 mile Vette.
One of those things that make me go "Hmmmmmmmm??"

None on my Pace Car, tho, or either of my 79s.

 

i have one on my L82 79, like that, although the heatriser is just a (spacer) now.
http://www.volvette.com/EX21.html

 

Probably had something to do with the dealership the car was delivered to. One of my local dealerships didn't understand how the heat riser vac actuator, check valve and thermal valve worked-the dumbazzes were actually installing a 1 way valve in the hose going from the thermal valve to the actuator to stop the chatter. OMG I even went down and explained it to them and they still installed them and the guys at the parts counter sold them to the public with a little drawing of how to install them. MORONS

KapsSA yours could have had that gasket installed due to the chatter problem.

 

I see that this is an old thread. It was a big help to me this week.
383 stroker
"towing Cam"
Stock manifolds.
2004R Transmission
Corvette central "magnaflow kit Dual exhaust kit."

First of all 2nd owner of this car. 1981. My previous was a 76.
I needed to pass or appear to pass emissions.
The stock manifold joint to the pipe... The curve is big but seals.
I was missing the EFE.
Had the felpro donut. Burned through all the time. The pipes were only supported at the muffler when the kit was installed. SAD.
Went to Midas. The Wrench has been working on pipes for 45 years.

He took the dual single separated pipes. Routed them around my 2004r to not burn it. Welded in a H pipe section for low end torque. Sadly he left supporting the pipes to me.

The efe goes on the passenger side, It gets no gasket (if you can find the EFE for an 81 corvette.
Install with no gasket, clean any rust from the Factory tube headers.
Bolted up perfect. Replaced the bolts and nuts another $100 la bor to get them out and new in.
No leaks.
I live in Alaska so EFE is important to me until I convert to fuel injection. Still on a carbatutor right now for a little while longer.
Still have stock air cleaner and cold air intake system.

There are no exhaust gaskets on the stock 81 corvette exhaust pipes. Put one between pipe and head. And one in the cat to pipe if you still have the CAT.

Sapper Jody 20th ENG BDE