New Header Gasket Or Keep Stock?

I am going to be installing a new set of DC Ceramic headers in a little bit, and I know that the directions that came with the headers say to use the same one that came with the stock headers I already have, but should I get new gaskets to put on when I install the new headers? Does it make any differance? Am I better off just keeping the stock one or order a new one?

Thanks!

Get a new one!

Always get new gaskets!! always!

The old one will be crushed and deformed, and there is nothing worse then going to the hassel of installing a new set of headers only to have them leak.

use the old one if it's in good shape. if you perform the removal properly, the metal gasket shouldnt be deformed or crinkled. if you have excessive carbon deposits, you'll wanna clean it up or get a new one.

but realise that the gasket aint portmatched, so you'll probably be better off gettin a new gasket anyways. :P

under no circumstances should a gasket ever be used again, once the parts are not together, the gasket will start to deform, and may crack without you even seeing it, causing leaks later on. if its already off you may as well change it.

I bought a new header for a B16, but I'm not finding many places that sell replacement gaskets for where the header connects to the cyllinder head and gaskets for the lower piece of the header.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Are they the same as the exhaust manifold gasket and exhaust flange gasket from the stock system? If so, try the Honda dealer. I tried to look those gaskets up online for a 2000 Civic Si (B16A2). The Autozone catalog says those gaskets aren't yet available from Fel-Pro; I don't know about Victor or Beck.

I went to AutoZone to get my gasket, and they got me something that was not even close to waht I needed. I took it back, they said that it was the right one. I got my money back and went to Napa, they sold me ones that worked great! I dont know who made then, but they came in a Napa Shrink wrapped package. Thanks for the feedback! I got the headers on and they are great! One piece of advice, do not destroy the O2 sensor when putting in new headers, I had to get a new one and it cost $75!

Originally posted by crxlvr
under no circumstances should a gasket ever be used again, once the parts are not together, the gasket will start to deform, and may crack without you even seeing it, causing leaks later on. if its already off you may as well change it.


i've never had a problem with reusuing my gaskets... but i never reuse a headgasket for obvious reasons. but then again, i do a damn good inspection on it first.

Originally posted by drift
i've never had a problem with reusuing my gaskets... but i never reuse a headgasket for obvious reasons. but then again, i do a damn good inspection on it first.

maybe you are just lucky then, we just went over this in my ASE class, and they said never to reuse the gasket, if the part is off anyway, might as well get a new one.

Originally posted by crxlvr


maybe you are just lucky then, we just went over this in my ASE class, and they said never to reuse the gasket, if the part is off anyway, might as well get a new one.


very true... but even your local honda dealer rarely keeps them in stock, much less anyone else who carries an aftermarket one. hard to find ones for H22 in my case.

Drift speaks the truth. As long as the gasket isn't all messed up it should work just fine. But of course some gaskets should always be replaced once removed like head gasket of course. A lot more damage can occur if you don't replace that one than an exhaust manifold gasket.

Im sorry but I totaly disagree with this.

The only gasket I can think off that is sometimes safe to leave and only its in really really good condition is a rocker cover or sump gasket.

And in the case of a sump gasket simply becasue on most cars they are hard to replace with out a bit of work, then spending the extra few $ is more than worth it for the peace of mind.


But things like Manifold gaskets, any cooling system gaskets, and especialy any fuel system gaskets should always be replaced.

Even if they look ok, its still possible they have been crushed so much that they wont hold thier shape properly when the part is bolted back on.

You have to remember that a gasket is used to fill in all the little surface iregularities and differnce in surface shape between the two parts being bolted together.
When the parts are bolted together the gasket is crushed into these spaces and effectivly seals them.
If you reuse the gasket it will not have expanded back to its orginal shape, and so will already be crushed.
It will not then be able to be crushed into all the gaps between the parts when you bolt them back together, and so may leave small gaps that will cause problems later on.
The gasket material is also weakened when its crushed, and will deteriot with age.
This is not always obvious to a visual inspection, and will only become apparent when everything is put back together, the engine is started and a leak is discovered.



You are more than welcome to reuse what ever gaskets you like, but when you get a cylinder leaning out from an intake manifold leak and melting a piston, or your car drips oil like it was old and British don't come and complain.


And Drift, any Honda dealer with a workshop that dosnt carry at least one full gasket set for all the major models dosnt deserve to be in bussiness.
Infact with in a 10min drive from work I know I could find about 6 differnt automotive suppliers who will have a full gasket set for an H22 in stock, and that includes Honda and a local gasket maker.

i agree, the only gasket my ASE teacher told us to keep was like a valve cover gasket, but that was only in rare instances where it wasnt damaged, but id change it anyway.

as for your dealer not carrying your H22 gaskets, thats just bad service, i know of at least 4 places within 2 miles of my house that i can get a full set as well, i completly agree with moppie.