I was running Remflex gaskets on my intake/exhaust manifold on my 77 Aspen. The hot box gasket blew out. After pulling manifolds it looked like the Remflex gaskets didn't like the heat. I have another Remflex gasket set and also the Aussie gasket set. After looking at how the Remflex came apart when pulling the manifolds, sort of delaminated. I am leaning towards the Aussie gasket set. What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance. Mike

_________________
Thanks Mike

Both types work. I tend (by personal preference) towards the material/construction of the Australian gasket, but assuming proper installation(!), both of them work.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

My hotbox gasket blew out as well only after few days of new build. I'm wondering if reflex would back their gaskets with a replacement but of course I'll need the entire manifold set to do it :-\

I went ahead and used the Aussie gaskets. I spent some time with a flat file getting the hot box surfaces where they fit flat against each other. No leaks! Now to adjust the valves this morning.

_________________
Thanks Mike

kielbasa,

How many times did you retorque the hot box bolts? and intake/exhaust bolts?

After a few heat cycles I retorque them. I do this up to 3 times since the manifolds move around quite abit after being off the engine. After a month things settle down and you should be good to go. Never had a problem after that. Yes, Remflex will stand behind their gaskets. I got a second set from them free. You just can't torque them down once and forget it. That was my mistake. They do not behave like the stock steel gaskets. They are so thick that it will take a few heat cycles and retorques. I pulled everything apart once after running them for a few weeks to check, and reinstalled them carefully with no problems. They will self heal and hold up just fine. The key is to have clean even mating surfaces. Once you take the manifolds off the car they can twist a bit. I use a long 3/4" 16 ply Baltic birch sanding board with red paper like Doc uses on the heads to true up the manifold surfaces. The individual branches on the manifolds sometimes have a mind of their own and move around quite a bit. If you over tighten they can crack. It is better not to over torque at first but retorque/check after a few heat cycles with the Remflex.

_________________
Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG