MTFCA Forum

What is the prefered type of manifold gasket material. Copper rings or 2 piece asbestos. Currently using asbestos but had one start leaking last week.

Copper rings and gland rings. I tried the cheap ones and had same problem.

I prefer the copper rings. Regardless of which type you use, you need the glands at least on the exhaust ports to keep the manifold from sagging.
Norm

If you are lucky enough to have a straight manifold, continue using the originals. The reason the manifolds warp is because of the 3 in 1 gaskets.

The stock gaskets and rings keep the exhaust manifold straight, as Larry says, and the last time I checked they were less than half the price of the copper one-piece gaskets.

If your block is pitted like this one you can add a little hi-temp RTV to help the gasket seal.

How about this?

How about this?

They're fine, but look at the price. More than three times the cost of the stock parts.

Thanks for the suggestions. I ordered a set of original Ford type gaskets from Macs. I know I had used these about 20 years ago but cant remember why I went to the 3 in 1 type.

This is a case where newer is definitely not better - the trick to the 3 piece original style is that steel "sleeve" in the middle is what supports your exhaust manifold and keeps it from warping. The copper one piece ones don't support as well, and the flat ones are almost guaranteed to warp your exhaust manifold.

Plus the 3 piece ones are cheaper. And cheap is always good - just ask Henry!!

12 piece is the best, we make the gland rings right here in the shop, Bob

Here is a thought for discussion: Those little flimsy split gland rings that slip inside the manifold ports are not going to keep that manifold from moving. The mass of the manifold is so much larger than those rings - so when things go to heating, moving and expanding - the manifold will win every time. When that manifold expands it is going to move - and those ring will not stop it. When you remove the exhaust manifold, you are better off to straighten it or replace it. Those rings then make it very nice to line things up evenly with the exhaust and intake ports and you can always use the round copper gaskets. Your best off with the straight manifold and keep those 4 nuts torqued and tight - and even then, those manifolds will still want to expand and bend.

I have installed warped manifolds in which you have no choice but to use the two piece gaskets because nothing else will work. In this case, I install the two gland rings for the intake manifold - because they will always line up and seat correctly. I use just one ring for the exhaust manifold installing it on the front or the back. With a few pencil traces in various positions you can get the manifold to a "best fit" situation with out causing an exhaust manifold leak. Not ideal, but this solution will work.

Tim and Preston, those one piece copper gaskets must be good. They are made in Australia! They are far cheaper here. If you check on line at Fuel Tank and Radiator Services, you may find it cheaper to buy them directly, even with the added postage. You could probably get three or four sets for the same postage cost. I love them!

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

Others may have a different opinion, but I find these copper "gland" gaskets can be re-used, probably several times if that were necessary, which makes them cheaper in the long run. Years ago, glands of this type made of aluminum (I think with an asbestos core) were available, and were much softer. They could only be used once.