The Ford Barn

AnthonyG · 03-21-2021, 10:33 AM

Bought a complete set of gaskets for my 8BA. All seemed normal / expected until I’m ready to put headers back on the engine & I noticed the header gaskets are stamped concave on one side? Probably a stupid question but does it matter which surface that concave side goes against. With torque I gotta believe they’ll end up flat like the other side anyway. All previous header gaskets I’ve seen are flat on bot sides. Thoughts on this? Maybe just be a result of the Mfg. process ( tooling)?

34PKUP · 03-21-2021, 10:58 AM

Are you sure they are not 'convex' ?

19Fordy · 03-21-2021, 11:10 AM

Anthony,
It may be that the gaskets just took a "set" after being stamped out and sitting on a shelf. No big deal.
They will flatten out when bolted down. Would be neat if you could post a photo or two.

AnthonyG · 03-21-2021, 11:55 AM

Pics, sorry for pic size. Still can’t figure FB pic process☹️

Will D · 03-21-2021, 12:14 PM

I just purchased a felpro gasket set, the exhaust gaskets look the same as yours. Just from punching them out, they will flatten when installed.

AnthonyG · 03-21-2021, 12:30 PM

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Thx 19Forty & Will D! I was pretty sure it made no diff. but thought I’d check as this is only the second time putting these or any headers on a Ford Flathead. Last set & every set with my GM Muscle were always flat like a carb intake gasket always is. On a humorous note Mom loves me doing this on dining room table, not! Tried to explain too cold in garage for Permatex RTV to cure. She’s having none of it

Russ/40 · 03-21-2021, 02:48 PM

That type of exhaust manifold gaskets are always that way. Just how they are stamped out. Does not matter a bit. I do suggest if you have some copper, or other, metalic antisieze to coat both sides of the gasket surface. That way they will survive if removed, for reuse. Otherwise they delaminate when removed, and it's a bear to scrape them off.
I wouldn't use RTV there.

Pete · 03-21-2021, 03:10 PM

Those were punched with a die set that was getting dull. I have some old ones and they are flat. They will go flat and seal ok when clamped.

03-21-2021, 10:33 AM	#1
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,163	Header gasket question? Bought a complete set of gaskets for my 8BA. All seemed normal / expected until I’m ready to put headers back on the engine & I noticed the header gaskets are stamped concave on one side? Probably a stupid question but does it matter which surface that concave side goes against. With torque I gotta believe they’ll end up flat like the other side anyway. All previous header gaskets I’ve seen are flat on bot sides. Thoughts on this? Maybe just be a result of the Mfg. process ( tooling)? __________________ Nomad

03-21-2021, 10:58 AM	#2
34PKUP Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 794	Re: Header gasket question? Are you sure they are not 'convex' ?

03-21-2021, 11:10 AM	#3
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,921	Re: Header gasket question? Anthony, It may be that the gaskets just took a "set" after being stamped out and sitting on a shelf. No big deal. They will flatten out when bolted down. Would be neat if you could post a photo or two.

03-21-2021, 12:14 PM	#5
Will D Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: BC Canada Posts: 573	Re: Header gasket question? I just purchased a felpro gasket set, the exhaust gaskets look the same as yours. Just from punching them out, they will flatten when installed. __________________ Sometimes, ingenuity gets in the way of sense and sanity.

03-21-2021, 12:30 PM	#6
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,163	Re: Header gasket question? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thx 19Forty & Will D! I was pretty sure it made no diff. but thought I’d check as this is only the second time putting these or any headers on a Ford Flathead. Last set & every set with my GM Muscle were always flat like a carb intake gasket always is. On a humorous note Mom loves me doing this on dining room table, not! Tried to explain too cold in garage for Permatex RTV to cure. She’s having none of it __________________ Nomad

03-21-2021, 02:48 PM	#7
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Header gasket question? That type of exhaust manifold gaskets are always that way. Just how they are stamped out. Does not matter a bit. I do suggest if you have some copper, or other, metalic antisieze to coat both sides of the gasket surface. That way they will survive if removed, for reuse. Otherwise they delaminate when removed, and it's a bear to scrape them off. I wouldn't use RTV there.

03-21-2021, 03:10 PM	#8
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,407	Re: Header gasket question? Those were punched with a die set that was getting dull. I have some old ones and they are flat. They will go flat and seal ok when clamped.