daveo90s4

Hi all,

Starting head installation after head gasket replacement.

The exhaust manifold gaskets are shiny metal on one side and coarse fibre-looking on the other (apart from the 'fire ring' around the inside diameter).

Is there are correct side to face the head - shiny or matt? Or does it not matter.

(Don't want to torque up the head and new gasket and find I've got these on the wrong way round).

Thanks

Dave

shortyboy

Gasket to Head and metal to headers. Tip: Hope you installed allen head studs to remove the headers easier in the future. Also, do not bend the metal gasket, they will leak...ask me how i know.

-Wayne

daveo90s4

Thanks Wayne,

Much appreciated.

Re header studs etc. I was able to remove the exhaust manifolds from the head without having to do anything fancy. A tight fit, bit centre manifold removed from engine bay completely, then other manifold able to be 'jiggled' enough to come free from the studs. Hoping assembly will simply be reverse of disassembly. But if not that easy, then having gasket on ten correct way will mean I'll inly have to struggle once!! Thanks again

Dave

Humboldtgrin

Those are turbo exhaust gaskets. Metal always to the headers. The 944 exhaust gasket doesn't have a shinny metal side, it's the same on both sides. Just for future referance.

snb13

Must depend on the manufacturer as mine weren't the same both sides.

daveo90s4

Mine came in the Victor Reinz kit

88Silver924S

From Fel-Pro:

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.