Mr. Gasket - Gasket Breakdown Guide

05/01/2020
10 min read

Mr. Gasket - Gasket Breakdown Guide

05/01/2020
10 min read

With the ever increasing technology in performance and racing engine designs, supercharged, turbocharged, nitrous oxide and extreme compression ratios create a demand for stronger, more durable engine gaskets. Mr. Gasket, the original high performance gasket manufacturer, has met the challenge and developed performance gaskets in a variety of materials to meet the sealing demands of these engines. Mr. Gasket engine gaskets are some of the most advanced tested and proven products in the performance market today and have earned the confidence of both professional and sportsman racers. With this many great products on offer, it can be difficult to decide which would be best for your application. Let's dive into the world of performance gaskets and help clear up any questions you may have!

Basic Installation Guidelines

Keep in mind one of the most important requirements of building an engine is to keep everything as clean as possible; this applies to gaskets and gasket mating surfaces also. Every surface a gasket comes in contact with must be free of dirt, water, oil, grease, etc. The surface must also be flat. Warpage should not exceed .0025˝ in any direction.


Take special care to clean the surface of old gasket material that may have stuck to either the part (oil pan, intake manifold, etc.) or the cylinder heads and block. One point often overlooked is keeping the gaskets themselves clean. This is one reason Mr. Gasket skin packages gaskets. The gaskets should not be taken out of the package until you are ready to install them.

Cylinder Head Gaskets

Performance Composite

Performance Composite


Engineered to meet or exceed OE gasket and sealing specifications

• Same gasket as in Mr. Gasket OE gaskets kit, but now available separately

• For use in daily drivers, muscle cars and street rods that use stock style gaskets

• Budget priced and sold individually


composite

Steel Shim

Steel Shim


• Manufactured from .020” steel shim stock.

• Thinner than OE head gaskets, increases engine compression.

• Stress formed embossments seal extreme cylinder pressures.

• For high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


steel

Ultra-Seal®

Ultra-Seal®


• Five layer (graphite core/perforated steel outer layers) composite construction.

• Graphite core has excellent thermal conductivity, transferring heat away from hot spots preventing gasket burn-out.

• Provides excellent stability, compressibility and high temperature endurance.

• Coated with high temperature silicone to ensure sealing of engine fluids.

• Will not brinell (indent) aluminum cylinder heads.

• For high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


ultra-seal

MLS (Multi-Layered Steel)

MLS (Multi-Layered Steel)


• Manufactured from premium grade stainless steel and state of the art laser cutting

• Optimized sealing embossments seals extreme cylinder pressure

• Provides excellent stability and reduces cylinder bore distortion

• Proprietary polymer coating ensures the micro seal of engine coolant and oil fluids

• Ideal for supercharged, turbo-charged, nitrous oxide and extreme compression ratio engines

• For high performance street, drag race and oval track use


mls


Copper

Copper (Dead Soft)


• Manufactured from dead soft solid copper

• Provides excellent stability and reduces cylinder bore distortion

• Can be used with or without stainless steel o-rings

• Ideal for supercharged, turbo charged, nitrous oxide and extreme compression ratios

• For high performance street, drag race and oval track


copper

HEAD GASKET INSTALLATION


After all gasket mating surfaces have been carefully cleaned, place a straight edge across the cylinder head and engine block gasket surfaces. Flatness should not vary more than .0025˝. If a variance of more than .0025˝ is measured, we recommend correcting this situation before installing the head gasket.


Re-tap and thoroughly clean all head bolt/stud threaded holes. If existing bolts or studs are being reused, clean threads and lightly lubricate to insure accurate torque readings.


NOTE: Torque specs will vary with the type of lubricant used.

• Use fresh 10W-30 weight motor oil and follow bolt/stud manufacturer’s recommendation.

• Use a thread sealer or silicone on bolt holes that enter into cooling passages.

• Do not use any type of adhesive or sealer on Mr. Gasket/Ultra-Seal® head gaskets. The special coatings used on the gaskets are more than adequate to properly seal all fluid passages and minor surface imperfections.


Applying proper clamp load is one of the most important steps to a successful seal. After installing head gasket and cylinder head, tighten bolts/studs following engine manufacturer’s recommended torque sequence. Tighten in at least three equal steps moving the torque wrench in a smooth, even pull, which will yield the most accurate torque readings. The use of Mr. Gasket hardened washers will further reduce friction and increase torque accuracy.

Intake Gaskets

Performance

Performance


• Manufactured from cellulose/nitrile composition gasket material

• Provides excellent sealing and durability

• Can be trimmed if necessary for modified port applications

• Complete with manifold end rail seals and distributor gasket

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track


performance intake

Ultra-Seal®

Ultra-Seal®


• Manufactured from cellulose/nitrile composition gasket material

• Provides excellent sealing and durability

• Silicone beading on both sides of each gasket

• Gasket sealer not required for installation

• Complete with manifold end rail seals and distributor gasket

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track


ultraseal int

Ultra-Seal® III

Ultra-Seal® III


• Made from synthetic high-tensile strength and high-temperature gasket material

• Delivers excellent sealing properties for oil, fuel and coolant

• Seals using low flange pressure (clamp force), conforms to and seals any imperfections on sealing surfaces

• Can be modified (trimmed) easily to fit custom applications

• Requires no additional gasket sealer for installation

• Releases easily (no scrapping required) will not stick to mating surfaces when disassembling engine

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track


ultrasealiii int

INTAKE GASKET INSTALLATION


Many performance engines have machined surfaces that cause non-parallel alignment. Before assembly, insure head and manifold mounting surfaces are parallel and head ports properly match intake ports. We offer a wide variety of port sizes to match many different port configurations. If necessary, our performance intake gaskets can be easily cut to match most modified cylinder head and intake ports. Inspect original gasket (if available) to determine if mounting surfaces are parallel, ports are properly matched to head and if manifold is warped.


• Clean all mounting surfaces before installing new gasket.

• Be careful not to damage mounting surface when using a scraper or wire brush.

• Use gasket remover to ease clean-up.

• Cover exposed internal areas (lifter galley and ports) so debris will not get into and damage critical engine components.


IMPORTANT: If engine is equipped with a valley pan type gasket, do not discard. On most engines, this pan will need to be reused to insure proper oil drain-back to crankcase. Clean valley pan and apply a thin bead of Mr. Gasket #78080G silicone around ports on cylinder head side of valley pan. Place in position on engine and continue to install the Mr. Gasket intake set.


Use adhesive around water and intake ports on cylinder head side of gasket to insure a tight seal and keep the gasket from moving during manifold installation.


NOTE: On large port applications, the gasket wall between ports is very narrow. Be sure adhesive has cured adequately before installing intake manifold to avoid gasket shift.


WARNING: For long term sealing, do not use any type of copper gasket sealer on intake gaskets. Do NOT use any sealants on o-ringed ports!


END SEAL INSTALLATION (IF APPLICABLE)


Manifold front and rear end seals are supplied with most kits. In many performance applications, the manifold end gap has been reduced due to machine work on block and cylinder heads.


• If light machining has been done, discard the rubber seals (if supplied) and use the cork seals (apply an 1/8˝ bead of Mr. Gasket #7808 silicone sealer at side rail/seal intersection).

• If gap is smaller than 3/32˝, discard cork seals and use Mr. Gasket #78080G sealer. Apply a 1/4˝ bead across block surface then install intake manifold.


Install bolts fingertight. Using a torque wrench, tighten to factory torque specifications. Follow proper tightening sequence. (On most V8

engines, start with center bolts and work outward in an “X” pattern).

Exhaust Gaskets

Performance

Performance


• Manufactured from high temperature acrylic blend exhaust material

• Provides excellent sealing and durability

• Can be trimmed if necessary for modified port applications

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track


exhaustperf

Ultra-Seal®

Ultra-Seal®


• Manufactured from high temperature steel core/graphite faced exhaust material

• Expanded steel core provides stability and maximum torque retention to eliminate gasket failure

• Graphite facing provides excellent heat resistance and thermal conductivity to transfer heat away from the cylinder head

• Conforms to and seals minor surface irregularities, high recovery material allows header or manifold flange to stay sealed if flange loses correct clamp load

• Can be trimmed if necessary for modified port applications

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track


ultraexhaust

CopperSEAL

CopperSEAL


• Manufactured from “Dead Soft” (solid) .043˝ thick copper material.

• .051˝ embossment around each exhaust port to seal irregular surfaces. Total gasket thickness .094˝.

• Provides excellent sealing and durability.

• Conforms to and seals minor surface irregularities.

• For high performance street, drag race, oval track and turbocharged (extreme heat) applications.


copperseal

Aluminum Layered

Aluminum Layered


• Reusable header, exhaust manifold and collector flange gaskets.

• Manufactured from “Dead Soft” aluminum layers – .125˝ thick.

• Conforms easily to surface irregularities (warped flanges).

• Compresses down to .060˝ to create a tight leak-proof seal.

• Will not shrink, deteriorate, or blow out, eliminating gasket leaks.

• For high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


als

MLS (Multi-Layered Steel)

MLS (Multi-Layered Steel)


• Multi-Layered Steel (MLS) exhaust and header collector gaskets are designed for extreme cylinder pressures produced by high

horsepower, high compression turbocharged, supercharged and nitrous oxide injected engines.

• Manufactured from three stainless steel layers, they resist corrosion, will not burn through or push out and maintain maximum fastener torque retention.

• Stress formed inner and outer layer embossments act like springs that rebound under exhaust flange clamp load, creating force to seal extreme exhaust pressures. Total gasket thickness .075˝.

• Will not deteriorate from scrubbing action caused by different expansion rates in aluminum and steel materials.


mls_exhaust

EXHAUST GASKET INSTALLATION


A unique feature on many of our exhaust gasket applications is the slotted end holes. They allow you to easily slide the gasket between the cylinder head and header flange after the end bolts have been started. An alternate method on gaskets without the slotted end holes is to use starter studs or Ultra-Seal header studs to temporarily hold the gasket in place. Slide the header flange onto the studs and, if using starter studs, replace with the proper type of header bolts.


CAUTION: Use care not to overtighten headers as this can warp the flanges causing an exhaust leak. It does not matter which side of the exhaust gasket is placed against the cylinder head or header flange.


NOTE: No gasket sealer is needed with the installation of Mr. Gasket Performance, Ultra-Seal, CopperSeal, Layered Aluminum or MLS Embossed exhaust gaskets.

Valve Cover Gaskets

Performance

Performance


• Manufactured from high-density cork/rubber blend gasket material.

• Provides excellent sealing and durability.

• Available in standard or extra thick to provide additional rocker arm to valve cover clearance.

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


cork

Steel Core

Steel Core


• Manufactured from high-density cork/rubber blend gasket material laminated to a steel core.

• Steel core construction prevents the gasket from being drawn inside or pushed out of valve cover at high RPM.

• Provides excellent sealing and durability.

• For high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


steel_core

Molded Rubber

Molded Rubber


• Manufactured from high temperature silicone blend or nitrile blend rubber.

• Steel core construction prevents the gasket from being drawn inside or pushed out of valve cover at high RPM.

• Torque limiters prevent over-tightening of fasteners and gasket splitting.

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


molded_rubber

Ultra-Seal®

Ultra-Seal®


• Manufactured from high density cork/rubber blend gasket material.

• A black latex rubber coating is applied to the outside of gasket to help seal minor flange irregularities and eliminate the possibility of oil leakage.

• Creates a positive seal by controlled swelling of the gasket material when exposed to hot engine oil.

• Available in standard or extra thick to provide additional rocker arm to valve cover clearance.

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


us_valve

VALVE COVER GASKET INSTALLATION


If existing valve covers are being reused, clean and degrease before installing. Use gasket remover to aid in the removal of old gasket material. Check for warped or bent flanges and straighten as necessary (this is very important to insure a leak-proof seal).


• Clean any oil residue off valve cover flange surfaces Apply a thin coat of Mr. Gasket #78080G silicone to hold gaskets in place during installation.

• Install mounting bolts and tighten evenly in a criss cross pattern. Use care not to overtighten as this will cause the flanges to bend.

Oil Pan Gaskets

Performance

Performance


• Manufactured from high-density cork /rubber blend gasket material.

• Provides excellent sealing and durability.

• Complete with molded rubber front/rear oil pan end seals where applicable.

• For OE replacement and high performance street use.


corkoil

Ultra-Seal®

Ultra-Seal®


• Manufactured from cellulose/nitrile rubber composition gasket material.

• Provides excellent sealing and durability.

• Complete with molded rubber front/rear oil pan end seals where applicable.

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


ultra-seal

Molded Rubber

Molded Rubber


• Manufactured from high temperature silicone blend or nitrile blend rubber.

• One piece molded construction provides a tight leakproof seal.

• Torque limiters prevent over-tightening of fasteners and gasket splitting.

• Provides excellent sealing and durability.

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


steelcore

OIL PAN GASKET INSTALLATION


If existing oil pan is being reused, clean and degrease before installing. Use gasket remover to aid in the removal of old gasket material. Check for warped or bent flanges and straighten as necessary (this is very important to insure a leak-proof seal).


• Clean any oil residue off oil pan flange surface. Apply a thin coat of Mr. Gasket #78080G silicone to hold gaskets in place during installation.

• Install mounting bolts and tighten evenly in a criss-cross pattern. Use care not to overtighten as this will cause the flanges to bend.

Engine Overhaul Gasket Kits

Standard Engine Gasket Set

Standard Engine Rebuild Overhaul Gasket Kits


• Designed for stock, non-high performance engine rebuilds.

• Engineered to meet or exceed OE gasket and seal specifications.

• Overhaul gasket kits include all gaskets and seals to complete engine rebuild.


standard

Ultra-Seal® Gasket Set

Ultra-Seal® Gasket Set


• Designed for maximum sealing of bi-metal (cast iron block/aluminum cylinder head) engines.

• Ultra-Seal cylinder head, intake, exhaust, valve cover and oil pan gaskets.

• Mr. Gasket timing cover, fuel pump, thermostat, water pump, and rear main seals.

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


ultrasealgasket

Premium Gasket Set

Premium Gasket Set


• Designed for maximum sealing of bi-metal (cast iron block/aluminum cylinder head) engines.

• Multi-Layered Steel (MLS) cylinder head gaskets.

• Ultra-Seal III intake manifold, timing cover, water pump and fuel pump gaskets.

• Molded rubber with steel carrier valve cover gaskets.

• Remainder of gaskets and seals are high quality Mr. Gasket.

• For OE replacement, high performance street, drag race and oval track use.


mlsengine

Bulk Gasket Material

Fiber

FIBER GASKET MATERIAL


• This gasket material delivers excellent sealing properties for oil applications

• Used to make transmission side cover gaskets

• Packaged in a poly bag

• 350 F temperature rating


fiberbulk

Cork

CORK GASKET MATERIAL


• This gasket material delivers excellent sealing properties for oil applications

• Used to make valve cover gaskets and intake manifold end seals

• Packaged in a poly bag


corkgas

Compressed

COMPRESSED GASKET MATERIAL


• This gasket material delivers excellent sealing properties for oil, fuel and coolant applications

• Used to make intake manifold, timing cover and water pump gaskets

• Packaged in a poly bag

• 350 F temperature rating


compressed

Intake Gasket

INTAKE GASKET MATERIAL


• Mr. Gasket’s own 1/16˝ thick performance intake gasket material

• Bulk packaged

• 350 F temperature rating


intakebulk

Exhaust Gasket

EXHAUST GASKET MATERIAL


• Mr. Gasket’s own 1/16˝ thick exhaust gasket material

• 1200 F temperature rating

• Bulk packaged


exhaustgasket

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