Has anyone used solid copper exhaust gaskets instead of the stamped steel/asbestos ones? I see you can buy them, and they would be easy to make. Would also make it easier to match the exhaust port.
Hi Bryan,
They might be ok, just be aware they compress slightly to form a seal but then they relax slightly after a heat cycle or 2. If I were to install them, I would retorque a couple of times and keep an eye out for leaks.
They should also be fine with Galvanic corrosion (copper against stainless) as the temps aren’t high enough to be a concern. Also if you put anti seize on, don’t use copper based anti seize, use Nichel based.
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While I have not used them, and I don’t have any exhaust leaks yet, Sanderson Headers has this to say about their copper collector gaskets: "Unlike composition fiber or combination fiber and metal gaskets, copper expands and contracts with the temperature of your exhaust. Since copper is soft, it compresses to form a better seal and won’t burn out! Copper gaskets have been used in aviation applications for years, and now they are available for automotive use with your Sanderson (and other brands) exhaust headers.
Our copper collector gaskets are manufactured from 0.046″ thick dead soft copper and are easily annealed to return to their original condition. In other words, “They Are The Last Gaskets You Will Ever Need To Buy!”"
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Cool. I’ve bought the EMPI ones, but also good to have another brand - and a thickness of copper in case I want to make some from a sheet.
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Here’s the new and old gaskets together. The hole in the copper gasket is bigger.
Here’s the gasket on the head. Gasket is bigger.
Here’s the gasket on my pipes. I blended out the ID by the flange and the gasket matches nicely.
So, I like them. I had opened up the old gaskets as much as I could to match the exhaust port, and at least one of them didn’t survive.
