Firegum or original metal gaskets?

mattyprice4004 · 18 Feb 2009 at 16:48

Basically, the exhaust fell off my 400 (

) so I got a new one to fit myself.

The only parts that didn't turn up were the gaskets, so as needs must I used some Holts Firegum instead on the flange joints between the cat and middle, and then the middle and backbox.

Will this be a good enough seal, or should I take the exhaust back off to fit the metal gaskets?

Clarkey · 18 Feb 2009 at 16:51

In my experience that stuff fails pretty quickly.

mattyprice4004 · 18 Feb 2009 at 17:06

Fair enough, might have a stab at fitting the gaskets then, should be fun!

Thanks Clarkey.

moss · 18 Feb 2009 at 17:06

Removing the hard paste is usually a bit of a nightmare too.

mattyprice4004 · 18 Feb 2009 at 17:07

moss said:
Removing the hard paste is usually a bit of a nightmare too.

Oh ****.

moss · 18 Feb 2009 at 17:09

Just use a decent wire brush and maybe try knocking it off with a chisel/hammer.

Dogbreath · 18 Feb 2009 at 19:10

15 or so years ago I'd have said leave it and fit a gasket if it leaks, but when you have a lambda sensor looking for small traces of oxygen even a small leak on the manifold flange can cause driveability, emissions and economy problems.

agw_01 · 18 Feb 2009 at 21:48

I sealed the center pipe to backbox flange on my car with Holts Gungum last year... it's still holding up nicely.

Dogbreath · 18 Feb 2009 at 22:49

agw_01 said:
I sealed the center pipe to backbox flange on my car with Holts Gungum last year... it's still holding up nicely.

That's really what it's designed for, joints within the exhaust system itself, not really manifold/head sealing.

Nomisf · 18 Feb 2009 at 23:40

rover416i said:
Basically, the exhaust fell off my 400 ( ) so I got a new one to fit myself.

The only parts that didn't turn up were the gaskets, so as needs must I used some Holts Firegum instead on the flange joints between the cat and middle, and then the middle and backbox.

Will this be a good enough seal, or should I take the exhaust back off to fit the metal gaskets?

Stuff never worked for me, even when i spent forever preparing the area, the above section of the exhast in my experience is hot enough to just harden the stuff, then it falls straight off when the pipe flexes/engine revs.

agw_01 · 19 Feb 2009 at 17:01

Dogbreath said:
That's really what it's designed for, joints within the exhaust system itself, not really manifold/head sealing.

I wouldn't dream of using it on the head/manifold.

But for flanges (I've used it on turbo elbow > downpipe, downpipe > cat and center pipe > backbox) it holds up fine for me

mattyprice4004 · 19 Feb 2009 at 17:19

Awesome, might see if it holds up then.

Surprised you didn't hear the amount of noise it was making from your department before the whole thing fell off