Heavy duty manifold gasket

[John_Mc]

My manifold gasket seems to be leaking (again). I replaced it shortly after I got the car about 3 years ago. It held up until recently and I've noticed that tell-tale sound again. I'm thinking that an uprated gasket would help but I notice in the Moss catalog that the part for earlier TR6s is NA. Do either of the other big 3 carry that part? Has anybody else faced this and found a solution?

 

[Simon TR4a]

I know the port spacing is different on the early TR6 heads, but I am surprised its not available as I would think it also fits GT6 and the Triumph 2000/2500 sallons, so enough cars to keep the item in production.
If not, a gasket specialist should be able to supply the material in sheets from which you could cut your own gasket, or have one cut. (It does not have to be done with laser precision!)
Simon.

 

[Guest]

John, unless you have aftermarket manifolds, it is very unusual for a good quality (metallic style) manifold gasket to blow out. It is the exhaust that you are referring to I am sure. The cast iron manifold mates up well to the head. Try using new studs and nuts and of course new lock washers. I get my gaskets from TRF (they may all come from the same source) and didn't have problems with the stock setup. You might try a coating of copper spray and make sure that you torque all the nuts down in a sequence and go a little past the recommended torque settings. If you had headers I could understand blowing out the gasket. You also mentioned a "heavy duty" gasket. I am not aware of such. Don't make the mistake of using a "header" gasket, they all blow out. Good luck.

Bill

 

[TRED]

When you take it apart I would check the manifold with a good straight edge to see if it straight. If it is warped I believe you can get it sanded back to straight at a motor rebuilding shop.

 

[Adrio]

[ QUOTE ]
I've noticed that tell-tale sound again.

[/ QUOTE ]

What is that tell tale sound. I would like to know for my own education. As I am trying to figure out what is wrong with my TR4 next sumer.

As to making your own gaskets, I had to do just that with my TR3A as I discouvered that I have a TR2 head on there and the gsket kit I bought was for a TR3 so it did not fit. I bought a sheet of graphite gasket (ultra high temp) and cut out my own gasket in about 15 minutes. It has been on the car and running great for about 8 years or more.

 

[jimbar]

I happen to have the moss 695-050 gasket. Bought it years ago. Still in the original bag. How about $15 + shipping. I believe thats less than I paid. Oh, and it is for the narrow port head.

 

[ROADSTR6]

The tell tale sound is a "tick tick tick" that increases with rpm, especially under load. You'll begin to smell exhaust in the engine compartment. FWIW, I put a HD paper/asbestos gasket on my car a couple of years ago and it failed after 10,000 miles. I have a standard gasket on now and it's doing fine so far. I don't worry too much about this issue as changing the gasket can be done in about 30 min. and they are cheap to buy anyway.