How hard to change exhaust gaskets?

[SYNFULL]

Hi,
I have finally found the source of my engine tapping, the exhaust gasket near the firewall on the drivers side. My question is- how hard is it to change the gasket. Is it just a matter of unbolting the headers, scraping the old gasket off, and sliding the new gasket in, or would I have to loosen the headers at the bottom flanges to be able to get in there. If it does have to be unbolted from the bottom flanges I don't even want to mess with it.

Thanks
Gary

 

[Joseph Dell]

Yes. not har d at all. take your time and it shoudl take a good 45min to an hour w/ the right tools. don't worry about the bottom flanges... just 10 bolts and you are all set.

good luck!

JD

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Good news is there is a lot more room to work on the driver's side due to lack of HVAC equipment.

 

[SYNFULL]

Thanks Guys

 

[Qualitywires.com]

becareful putting the header bolts back in...do it by hand first...if there are a lot of debris inside the threads, clean them...don't want to strip those aluminum heads.

 

[SYNFULL]

You guys must have thought I had the metal gaskets. There is no way I am getting this gasket material scraped off without removing the headers. It is a nightmare. I have been scraping this sh*t off for hours. Is there an easier way to do it- some magic gasket dissolver?
Thanks
Gary

 

[SYNFULL]

Anyone? How do you get this gasket material off? I am scraping off bits and pieces a little at a time trying not to mar the surface. I am using a cold chisel and a metal spackle tool. Is there anything that works better, or that will dissolve this stuff.
Thanks
Gary

 

[Venom 1000TT]

Been there done that a few times! What a pain. The only thing I did, of course after removing the header, was to spray gasket remover on the head & header, sold at any auto parts store, let it sit ahile. Then I then start scraping off. Make sure you use the metal gaskets to replace. I went through 2 sets of the other ones & they kept blowing out. Oh I love trying to get those header bolts in & tightened down, especially on the passenger side! Have fun!

 

[SYNFULL]

Thanks venom- I thought they might sell some type of remover. I do have the metal gaskets- I wish I used them from the start.
Gary

 

[Venom 1000TT]

Glad to help! You also might want to use the Hi-temp Gasket sealer when installing. It comes in a tube. It helps keep them in place while tightening them up.

 

[SYNFULL]

Can anyone tell me what the reddish color gasket sealer is that you use on the Belanger headers where they go into the Y pipe?
Thanks
Gary

 

[twinturbo3150]

I have a brand new set of mopar header gaskets from my 2000gts 40 bucks shipped to your door

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Can anyone tell me what the reddish color gasket sealer is that you use on the Belanger headers where they go into the Y pipe?
Thanks
Gary

It is the copper high temp sealant Venom1000 is talking about.

 

[Venom 1000TT]

Yes, it's the hi-temp silicon gasket sealer, usually red but comes in different colors.