Exhaust Flange leak, different gasket? Gasket maker? Sealant?

[m1dn]

Hey folks!

Recently replaced exhaust manifold on driver side.
New manifold came with “donut ring”.
Old one was kinda similar size but was all squashed with sealant around it. Cleaned it up.

If I understand correctly how the small donut was supposed to work is that it has sealant inside and when you tighten two sides together it squashes and sealant comes out.
So I’ve put everything back together but flange started ticking/leaking.
Gave it few weeks and tried tightening bolts, no luck.

Took everything apart and i can see the ring didn’t get squashed, it looks like the hole for the ring is like much bigger.

Anyone got suggestions whats the best way to quiet the ****** down once and for all?
I was thinking to order Walker 31718 gasket, it seems to be made for same flange but according to comments works way better than donut.

So my plan was to maybe throw a good amount of sealant into the hole for donut, throw in Walker gasket and tighten the ducker down.

If anyone had similar experience, would you please share some insight on what’s the best way to go?

 

[abrasumente]

Hey folks!

Recently replaced exhaust manifold on driver side.
New manifold came with “donut ring”.
Old one was kinda similar size but was all squashed with sealant around it. Cleaned it up.

If I understand correctly how the small donut was supposed to work is that it has sealant inside and when you tighten two sides together it squashes and sealant comes out.
So I’ve put everything back together but flange started ticking/leaking.
Gave it few weeks and tried tightening bolts, no luck.

Took everything apart and i can see the ring didn’t get squashed, it looks like the hole for the ring is like much bigger.

Anyone got suggestions whats the best way to quiet the ****** down once and for all?
I was thinking to order Walker 31718 gasket, it seems to be made for same flange but according to comments works way better than donut.

So my plan was to maybe throw a good amount of sealant into the hole for donut, throw in Walker gasket and tighten the ducker down.

If anyone had similar experience, would you please share some insight on what’s the best way to go?

Idk that the donut gasket has any type of sealant built into it. Any type of donut I've ever used is just graphite friction fit, the graphite itself creates the seal.

I used that Walker triangular gasket when I did my motor swap. Works good.

 

[swathdiver]

15077362 is the seal for the driver's side. No sealant. Sealant can cause problems with the cats and O2 sensors and ought not to be used.

It just lays in there and you tighten the 3 bolts evenly, a little bit each at a time to get it sealed tight.

 

[m1dn]

Idk that the donut gasket has any type of sealant built into it. Any type of donut I've ever used is just graphite friction fit, the graphite itself creates the seal.

I used that Walker triangular gasket when I did my motor swap. Works good.

Did you put anything in the hole where the donut would previously go or just drop in the triangular one and send it?

 

[abrasumente]

Did you put anything in the hole where the donut would previously go or just drop in the triangular one and send it?

So when I replaced my motor, I also had to replace my catalytic converters as the old motor burned oil something fierce (among other problems) and fouled the stockers. The replacement cat flange had a flat machined surface, without that groove cut for the circular gasket like the OE flange.

YMMV, but I feel pretty confident the triangular gasket would work for you too. It's still a graphite gasket and the clamping force once the two surfaces are mated would prevent any exhaust gas leaking out and provide the seal. Of course if you're in doubt, just use the OE.

Also, buy stainless steel nuts for those exhaust studs and get some high temp anti seize, preferably the stuff that has glass beads in it like what you see on O2 sensors. You'll thank me later if you ever have to take the exhaust loose again.

 

[m1dn]

Thanks folks! Went with a little more surface cleaning and switched to triangle gasket.

Put everything together and no leaks so far, will drive it a little and retighten the nuts in few days