Copper exhaust gaskets?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Largo Florida
Copper exhaust gaskets?
Who uses these? Any problems sealing? I have them and when I got my headers connected to the exhaust system the mechanic told me they leak a little bit and that he has had no luck with them. I cannot hear a leak and neither can anyone else. Maybe when the car was cold was when he heard the leak and the copper expanded and sealed it?
Le Mans Master
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From: Brazos TX
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Re: Copper exhaust gaskets? (ericcer)
I am using aluminum gaskets and have had no problems. If you aren't hearing a leak then don't worry about it. Are they new headers? They could have deformed slightly as they heat cycled.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: loxahatchee fla
Re: Copper exhaust gaskets? (ericcer)
Ive had the same set of S.C.E. copper exhaust header gaskets on and off my 1985 vette for over 5 years now, they still don,t leak and they still work perfectly. I would have used at least 7-8 regular gaskets by now if they were stock chevy gasket because of all the engine mods Ive done, copper is the way to go!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: down that one road next to that big tree
Re: Copper exhaust gaskets? (grumpyvette)
copper is great if it matches perfectly, aluminum allows a little more fudge room. perceys make a 1.5" round port aluminum gasket that fits the header to D-port hole really well.
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Re: Copper exhaust gaskets? (ericcer)
Are you talking collector gaskets or where the header hits the head?
I use copper gaskets from the header to the head, if nothing else it will help with the heat transfer away from the head. They look really nice and they will NOT blow out. I got all the bolts extremely tight, and they don't leak at all.
On the collector end I have used copper gaskets. Again, just be sure and get them very tight. The paper gaskets will burn up and blow out in about 35 seconds. Last time I bought collector gaskets they didn't have copper gaskets at the store and I bought aluminum. It's a much thicker gasket and somewhat soft. I was able to tighten the hell out of the bolts and it actually made the exhaust crush into the gasket, kinda like a rubber type seal. Works great, no problems so far.
I think I like the aluminum ones better on the collector, but I love the copper ones on the header / head. It's thin enough to get the bolts started easy enough, the aluminum gaskets I think would be too thick up there.
BTW, you would know if you had an exhaust leak, it's a pretty irritating sound.
I use copper gaskets from the header to the head, if nothing else it will help with the heat transfer away from the head. They look really nice and they will NOT blow out. I got all the bolts extremely tight, and they don't leak at all.
On the collector end I have used copper gaskets. Again, just be sure and get them very tight. The paper gaskets will burn up and blow out in about 35 seconds. Last time I bought collector gaskets they didn't have copper gaskets at the store and I bought aluminum. It's a much thicker gasket and somewhat soft. I was able to tighten the hell out of the bolts and it actually made the exhaust crush into the gasket, kinda like a rubber type seal. Works great, no problems so far.
I think I like the aluminum ones better on the collector, but I love the copper ones on the header / head. It's thin enough to get the bolts started easy enough, the aluminum gaskets I think would be too thick up there.
BTW, you would know if you had an exhaust leak, it's a pretty irritating sound.
Le Mans Master
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: Copper exhaust gaskets? (yoslambo1@cs.com)
I run copper and put a little copper RTV on the gasket when installing. I have reused them over a dozen times without problems for the last 3 years on 3 different engines.
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Re: Copper exhaust gaskets? (ericcer)
Just grabbed the first post at top of this thread, so maybe someone has already said this :cheers:
Copper and aluminum don't get along!!!!
You will have electolysis problems and I believe the aluminum will go away first
Jack
Copper and aluminum don't get along!!!!
You will have electolysis problems and I believe the aluminum will go away first
Jack
Safety Car
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From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Copper exhaust gaskets? (jackdaroofer)
electrolysys only occurs in a conductive fluid. Exhaust gases really don't conduct electrical current very well.
Maybe they would corrode around the outer edges where it's exposed to the elements...but it's not a big thing. Just look at the pipe thread/sensor adaptor fittings people use in aluminum intakes...they are all made of brass/copper and pretty much last forever ( steel corrodes faster than those do ).
Some racers even use copper head gaskets on aluminum headed high compression motors.
[Modified by BBA, 9:28 PM 9/5/2002]
Maybe they would corrode around the outer edges where it's exposed to the elements...but it's not a big thing. Just look at the pipe thread/sensor adaptor fittings people use in aluminum intakes...they are all made of brass/copper and pretty much last forever ( steel corrodes faster than those do ).
Some racers even use copper head gaskets on aluminum headed high compression motors.
[Modified by BBA, 9:28 PM 9/5/2002]
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Owensboro KY
Re: Copper exhaust gaskets? (ericcer)
I had some aluminum one on my pro street camaro and loved them. They never leaked and another good thing was that they are reuseable. So if you have alot of tranny problems like I did with it or you do alot of motor change it is money well invested. I think i had them apart at least 10 times and reused the same ones every time with no leaks. But I have heard the copper ones are better but have to be a closer fit.
