Does anybody else have problems with EA82 exhaust manifold gaskets?

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:04 pm

Cos i do!

It seems a couple of times a year, i have to pull the header off, and replace the gaskets.

Ive been using ACL ones (shiny surface with lots of little dimples) mostly, and have only ever used one with a metal ring in the centre once.

What do you use? More specifically referring the EA82T

Im thinking maybe my flanges arent perfectly flat and are causing the problem

Im open to all suggestions

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:42 am

the genuine turbo ones are different on the EA82T, look like two layers of metal neatly folded or wrapping an inner layer of something. I gather they are not very expensive from Subaru.

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:44 am

Hi Gannon , I've never refitted an EA82T header pipe (so far) but when it really counts I like to use factory gaskets where possible .
I have two here in my hot little hands and their part number is
- GASKET RM 44022GA320 .
They have a metalic crush ring around the inside .
Some people may baulk at paying $17.44 ea but I reckon it's better than doing the job multiple times .
I have no idea if the carby or MPFI NA gaskets are any different but you can be sure that if the turbo engines have special requirements Subaru would have used a suitable gasket .

Not 100% sure but EA82T headers don't appear to have a stainless bellows like EJ Turbo crossover pipes do so there is def scope for different expansion rates of the header and the distance between the engines exhaust ports .

My engine was not rebuilt with a genuine gasket kit but all the manifold and head gaskets are .
The non guenine gasket kit I believe also has flat shiny looking things which are probably quite ok on non tubo engines .

Thanks for highlighting this issue and we'll try to avoid it .

Cheers A .

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 4:41 pm

Hey disco.... Can you take a picture of your gasket for me please?

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:27 pm

My L wasn't a turbo - but same deal, got sick of blowing exhaust gaskets all the time. I then gave the hi-temp silicone a go (the O2 sensor safe type). Apply it one night but don't fully tighten the exhaust stud nuts. Wait til at least 12 hours have past by then do the nuts up good and proper (and hope the studs don't come out, that was my other problem). This worked a treat for me til we hit the exhaust hard and ripped a stud, then there was no fix

Dunno how it'll go with a turbo though - I never used a gasket, just the goo

Cheers

Bennie

dfoyl · Post by **dfoyl** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:42 am

I used the genuine gaskets when I changed to the MPFI header, no problem since. I did compare it to an aftermarket gasket (from Burson's), and the Subaru unit was much more textured.

Dean.

timmo · Post by **timmo** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:30 am

Mine's leaking right now, its on the list of jobs...... along with fitting a gc8 steering rack... and after I do the cam cover gaskets on the RS... Enthusiasm the missing ingrediant!

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:14 am

timmo wrote: Enthusiasm the missing ingrediant!

Yeah i agree

It is such a hassle to remove the header pipe cos its so hard to get to the turbo bolts (and the risk of breaking a stud)

I think adrian may be onto something with the contraction and expansion of the pipe. Id also like to have flanges with 4 holes to bolt up to the heads too.

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:31 am

It would be an idea to check the header flanges to see if there is any scope for them to move on the studs/bolts ie slightly slotted holes .

Expansion and contraction (heating cycles) is a major problem particularly with turbo/header/head interfaces .

A .

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:19 pm

My exhaust guy tells me the pipe is regarded as a stainless steel on my EA82T 3/87.

Photo sent to your ezemail account Gannon of my spare genuine zaust gasket.

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:40 pm

Thanks steptoe , I have a new mobile phone and got the missus deciphering its TV remote like workings .

A .

Xtreme_RX · Post by **Xtreme_RX** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:06 am

All of the gaskets are punched from what they call DSM (Double sided metal) gasket. Some have a 'flame' ring - these are the best ones to get.

If you are constantly blowing / burning gaskets out your mating surfaces are not flat.

A gasket is only as good as the surface it mates to....

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:13 am

Looks like i will be re-designing my header up-pipe then.

What ever happened to the ones you were making Justin?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:22 pm

I found the cheapy ones on the turbo motor I pulled down the other day, nuts were loose, and was certain I could hear and exhaust flange gasket like noise at times when it was running.

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:39 pm

I have bought 2 new gaskets

Permaseal on top, ACL on bottom

again

These are the gaskets i pulled off

The one on the right is also a permaseal, but i think it has been there longer than the ACL one.

I put them on tonight, and what a pain in the proverbial it was. 2 of the studs stayed in the head so i had to cut the gasket around the stud and slide them in. I wasnt gonna remove the turbo at 5:30 in the arvo

Will see how they go and report my results

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:42 pm

sneaky...removing the studs. Was wondering how you did them. Those flat metal permaseal ones look better.