Apex944

I searched for posts about this and found some, but they dont specify which is the correct way to put them on. Does anybody know which way they go on? Metal side to the head or to the manifold?

87944turbo

From the turbo forum

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ghlight=gasket

Apex944

Does anybody have any manuals or porsche dealership advice about it? It's 50/50 with the metal to the head or to the exhaust manifold.

What happens if theyre put the wrong way?

David Boutelle

does not matter! but i face metal out. make sure it has a clean mating surface.7 years at trayner porsche audi vw, 6 years at m.benz of fairfeld in ct . 11 years my own custom car shop

DDP

This is what I've done and here's my reason for it. The header will expand and contract on the head. I put the metal side out so that the header expands and contracts on that side.

apierce918

headers expand, but so does the head. when i put them on before, i dont think i paid attention to it, i dont think it matters, flip every other exhaust port

PorscheDoc

The smooth metal surface goes towards the header side, because there is slight movement of the header as it heats and cools. It provides a smooth surface for it to move on. It is also on Federal Mogul's website specifically stating this.

william_b_noble

this is from FelPro -

Exhaust Manifold Gaskets:
Exhaust manifold gaskets are another gasket type we get questions on. When installing Fel-Pro exhaust manifold gaskets, if there is a smooth, metallic side and a composite side, the metallic side should be installed facing out, meaning toward the exhaust manifold. This smooth surface of the shiny side will allow the flange of the exhaust manifold to slide as it expands and contracts during heat cycling from engine operation.