Manifold gasket - schooboy question....

[Sparky_Spit]

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this; I've only been messing about with Triumph cars for 40-odd years.... 

With one-piece combined inlet/exhaust manifold gaskets, which have a dimpled bright metallised side and a grey fibre side; which way round are they supposed to be fitted? And why?

Thanks in advance.

[Nigel Clark]

I've only seen manifold gaskets with dimpled foil coating both sides, made by Payen.

If you study the gasket closely, are there any markings to show which way round to fit?

Nigel

[Nick Jones]

As above, or no foil coating at all.

To answer you question though, I’d have the foil facing the manifolds as I think the other side is more likely to stick and by doing it this way you just might get more than one fitting out of it. 
 

Nick

[Colin Lindsay]

Shiny metallic side goes to the manifolds; this is to allow the manifolds to expand and contract as they heat up and cool down, and so they'll slide over the shiny surface, rather than stick to it as they would the fibre side.

[Nigel Clark]

6 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said:

Shiny metallic side goes to the manifolds; this is to allow the manifolds to expand and contract as they heat up and cool down, and so they'll slide over the shiny surface, rather than stick to it as they would the fibre side.

That makes perfect sense. Everyday's a school day!

Nigel

[Sparky_Spit]

Thank you gentlemen. As Nigel says, every day is a school day