Make your own exhaust gasket ?

[SmithSwede]

Ok.  Sorta Guzzi content due to desire for cheapness.   

I’m looking to replace 2 mildy leaky exhaust gaskets on a 1999 BMW F650 Funduro.   Single cylinder but with two exhaust headers.  The OEM gaskets are basically discontinued and not easy to get.   And spendy.    From England with tax and shipping.   

So I thinks to myself, how hard can it be to just make my own exhaust gaskets?  Looks like you can get material like Fel-Ramic. Or maybe use thin cooper sheeting? 

I think the original gaskets have a steel ring.   Maybe I could re-use the steel ring but replace the gasket material that is crushed beneath the ring? 

Any tips or warnings?   Thanks.   

[guzzista]

 If the steel ring is ok, why not re use ? Copper sheet is easy  (and  relatively cheap) to find, cut, drill with a hole saw. Best of all, you can anneal  and re-use your gaskets . Definitely Guzzi content .

[s1120]

Tons of modern import cars use the round exoust gaskets of many different sizes these days. Maybe take one, and go to a local autoparts store and see if they can match one up.

[Perazzimx14]

I’ve made them with aluminum foil.

[LowRyter]

Prescott, having no expertise here, since the first alternative is designed as exhaust gasket material, wouldn't that be a logical choice?

And since all of the materials are cheap, the time involved might be excessive, why not mock up several different versions and make a decision which is best to install?  Or if you think the first try is a homerun, go with it.

[80CX100]

     My brother lives in a remote area, and works on small engines of all kinds; out of necessity, he makes all his own gaskets.

     Apparently there are a few standard gasket thicknesses he buys in bulk; iirc he's described to me buying exhaust gasket material in bulk, ie like a thin metal/fibre sandwich sheets.

      fwiw fyi

[Sye]

Ok.  Sorta Guzzi content due to desire for cheapness.   

I’m looking to replace 2 mildy leaky exhaust gaskets on a 1999 BMW F650 Funduro.   Single cylinder but with two exhaust headers.  The OEM gaskets are basically discontinued and not easy to get.   And spendy.    From England with tax and shipping.   

So I thinks to myself, how hard can it be to just make my own exhaust gaskets?  Looks like you can get material like Fel-Ramic. Or maybe use thin cooper sheeting? 

I think the original gaskets have a steel ring.   Maybe I could re-use the steel ring but replace the gasket material that is crushed beneath the ring? 

Any tips or warnings?   Thanks.   

Is it this one? If so, they work out at about $7.0 each. Add around $6 2nd class postage and for around $20 it's job done. If they were a gift, for your birthday for example, there's no tax to pay.
If you want to do it, let me know?

https://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=15&M=60&Ct=JA&SbCt=BA_15_60_JA_55

[Madtownguzzi]

This might work for you if it is the right one right here in the USA.
Also try a small engine shop to see if they have something close you could modify.
https://motorrad-1.com/products/f-650-funduro-usa-exhaust-system-parts-with-mounts-gasket-part-number-18112345039

[John A]

I recall many years ago sitting at a parts counter and paging through illustrated parts catalogs with the old gasket in my hot little hands. I found a gob of suitable substitutes but then the question became which ones did they have on the shelf…. Success was had at the end, it may be easier with it all on computer now and they are less likely to let you use their computer duration slow times so sometimes I can leave a sample of what I’m looking for and the parts guy will look for it during a slow time.

[John Warner]

Those Header Gaskets are a generic part, made in their millions.
You have the dimensions (measure the Header end), so you can source them from just about anywhere that sells them.
I ordered some for my Stelvio a couple of years ago, got a pack of 10 for around £7.

Start with ebay, they're usually listed just by their outer diameter (O/D).
Their full designation will be O/D x I/D x thickness, e.g.~ 55x47x5, but the I/D is dictated by the O/D anyway, so you should find them with just the O/D.
Shop around, prices vary wildly, but I wouldn't expect to pay more than £2 each.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131506501963?hash=item1e9e65f94b:g:qYQAAMXQ3kRQ8J5x

[John A]

^^^ what he said, industry standard parts.

[lazlokovacs]

yep, use some exhaust gaskets from any engine as long as they fit near enough. I don't order guzzi ones.

[Tom]

I’ve made them with aluminum foil.

I've done the same.