Spesso Gaskets

[rodo]

Anyone have experience using this brand? I'm trying to locate one of the exhaust manifold gaskets that has the metal rings around the ports and the bolts. This has been recommended for my turbo but I can't find one anywhere in the US. This brand, with the right part number, 7707675, I can find in both Oz and England. Don't want to spend the bucks if Spesso gaskets are weak.

[Nut124]

Sorry, never heard of Spezzo.

I have never seen nor used a Fiat ex gasket with rings around the ports. I have used regular ex gaskets from the typical suppliers for 20+ years.

My experience is that they last for many years of hard driving, depending on the amount of overlap between the header, gasket and the head.

Have you had trouble with the regular ex gaskets?

[rodo]

Thanks, Nut124. My understanding is that the rings work better for the higher temps of the turbo mess. Have a look at the spesso 7707675, just google it and the AEC parts place (UK) will pop up. Metal rings on the gasket at ports and bolts. Since I've got the manifold off, in hopes of getting the turbo restored, I figure an ounce of prevention.

[Nut124]

Yes, I see. There seem to be more than one kind of gasket showing up when i google spesso 7707675.

One seems to be a MLS gasket. The other looks like fiber gasket with a metal ring. MLS is a new technology that is superior in head gaskets. I have one in m car.

Are you running a factory ex manifold? For the MLS gasket to seal, header ports need to align well with the ports in head. Many aftermarket headers have ports that do not line up well. The non-MLS might do better in those cases as it has a wider sealing surface. MLS gaskets typically only seal along a narrow, stamped ridge.

[rodo]

Well, it's weird. The manifold is the original, if one can call it that, turbo manifold, part of the system installed by Legend in 1981/82. Not a great system so any little bit, like the metal rings on the gasket, should help. That was recommended by the turbo guru and I get his point. Ordered it from the UK (ouch!) and will post when I get it installed.

[rodo]

Easy to see the difference here.