Defective Moss Manifold Gaskets?

[poolboy]

Is the exhaust manifold warped or something ?

[baws]

Is the exhaust manifold warped or something ?

Doesn't appear to be. When I bolt it back up to head, it looks flush and even. It's still attached to the downpipes so I can't get a straight edge on it yet.
Besides, the old gasket looks like it's disintegrated throuout it's length. In fact, it looks very much like the original poster's blown gasked.

[TRmoment]

Baws, I know this doesn't address your "Which one or both" question but for what it's worth, my Remflex is still holding up very nicely a year later (I should hope so!).

And yes, yours does look a lot like the one that failed on me; it was brittle like a potato chip.

[baws]

Thanks! I think I'll order the Remflex gasket from Moss then.

[TRmoment]

Baws - Just be very careful if your ordering from Moss. I see in the new 2023 catalogue page A32, that they are still listing the same part # as the 1st Remflex gasket I bought from Moss; you could end up with that hybrid-fitting one like I got. Personally, I would call Remflex directly and mention that "new" part number (Remflex part# 20-003). If need be, you could always ask for Alan; I'm sure he remembers the issue well. https://catalog.remflex.com/

Update: I just checked the website and found this below which is very confusing as it still lists both narrow and wide port applications. I would definitely call them and make sure you are getting the same type gasket they made for me!
Alan Matthews - General Manager 360-492-3100 (Office) or 1-866-641-7325 (Main).
.

From Remflex site:
PN 20-003 -- Triumph REMFLEX® L6 Intake & Exhaust Gasket Fits:TR250 & 1971 TR6 & 1972-'76 TR6 PN 695-030/040 1-9/32" Dia. Intake Ports 1-1/32" x 1-9/32" Square Exhaust Ports, 1(ea).

OK, well Alan did say it could take a while (and it did) but I finally received the new gasket from Remflex. So far, I have a feeling that it will have been worth the wait. The new gasket they made for me now fits the head pretty well. The only (minor) concerns I had while installing were the stud length and the torqueing of the manifold nuts. Remflex makes a point of mentioning that even though their gasket is thicker than a standard gasket, longer bolts (studs) are not necessary. Personally, I have always wished that the stock studs available were slightly longer anyway because as many of us know, the stock studs don't thread entirely through the brass manifold nuts even with a stock gasket. That said, I was able to install nuts and lock washers on all except for the four upper exhaust manifold studs (328-660), I just did not feel that there was enough stud to install the lock washers on those. The gasket does have a 50% "crush" factor so I suppose that I could go back and remove the nuts one-by-one and install a lock washer on each but I'm not sure it will be necessary since they are all right on top and easily accessible to check periodically. The second concern (although minor) was the "crushability" of the gasket. I torqued the nuts in steps to evenly tighten the manifolds (all to 10lbs, then all to 15lbs, then all to 20lbs). After all were at 20lbs, I circled back to double check all the nuts and was able to tighten them slightly more before "clicking" again at 20lbs. I suppose this is due to the "crush factor" of the material. After two more rounds, everything must have settled in and seemed correctly torqued once and for all.

I apologize for the long-winded nature of this post but as a "guinea pig" of sorts with this new item, I wanted to share as much information as possible for anyone else thinking of trying this new gasket material. I have no idea what this will mean to gaskets supplied by Moss. Will they begin to carry the corrected 72-76 TR6 gasket? I don't know. For the time being, my understanding is that Remflex is currently able to produce two gaskets: the new 72-76 gasket they made for me and the original hybrid gasket that I initially purchased (then returned) from Moss. It would be my hope that at some point, Remflex will produce a gasket that matches the stock gasket for the TR250 / TR6 thru '71 (695-030) and just throw in the towel on the originally produced gasket intended to cover both the narrow and wide port heads. In the meantime, if you own a 72-76 TR6, you could probably order a gasket (Remflex part# 20-003) directly from Remflex https://catalog.remflex.com/


I have included three photos: one shows the original "hybrid" Remflex gasket on my head, the second shows the same gasket top of the new 72-76 Remflex gasket they just made for me. The last one shows the new gasket in place on my cylinder head.

[baws]

Got the Remflex manifold gasket from Moss today, part# 695-080 and am happy to report it has the correct port spacing for the 72-76 head.
THANK YOU TRMoment for the dilegent work with the Moss and Remflex to make it happen!
I can say that at first glance, I'm truly impressed. The gasket is much thicker than the 2 "heavy duty/high performance" gasket I have in my parts stash.
It is supposed to compress 50% and does not require retorqeing (20 FTP) after intial installation.
Pics:

[TRmoment]

Baws:
You are very welcome; I'm so happy to hear that you got the correct fitting gasket for your TR.

Since Moss still lists the TR250 along with the 72-76 TR6 on the Remflex gasket, I can't help but wonder what that will mean for the poor TR250 guy who orders that gasket!
It just makes no sense to me that they clearly differentiate between the narrow-port head and the wide-port head on all their other gaskets (695-050, 695-030, & 695-040), but not on the Remflex. Oh well, as long as you got the correct one that's what's important.

[baws]

The latest Moss 2023 printed parts catalog lists the TR250 - TR6 pre '72 as "NA", so the folks with the narrow spaced ports had best contact Remflex direct as you advise.