exhaust gasket questions
 

Forgive what may seem like basic questions but I'm used to wrenching on the air cooled stuff. I will be adding headers, cat delete rear pipes and a Dansk muffler to my 2002 S. I ordered new gaskets for the headers and the cat from Pelican. They supposedly are OEM gaskets. I received the parts the other day and they are punched steel really no gasket to speak of. So they are metal ( stainless ? ) with punched holes and " raised " ridges so this is what modern exhaust gaskets look like ? Is there a specific direction the raised ridges get installed ? These questions may get answered when I remove the existing system but thought I would ask in advance just in case.

Anyone ? :)

I don't think it matters which way the ridge points, as long as the holes line up. On my WP same gasket, but it only fit on one way since it's not symmetrical.

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, this is a modern multi-layer steel gasket with embossments (ridges).

They are designed to maintain a torque set, resist corrosion and accommodate different combinations of cylinder head and exhaust manifold materials.

The embossments (ridges) improve load control (reduce the required clamping force) and sealing.