[az-4x4]

I'm replacing the bad gaskets that came with my JBA Longtube headers with OEM gaskets from the dealer.. forgive my ignorance. Which side of the gasket faces the head? There is a shiny steel side of the gasket, and the opposite side of the gasket is a flat gray color. I don't want to have to do it all over again. Also the shiny side kind of bubbles out a little around the exhaust ports, the dark side is indented inwards. (hope that makes sense)

Here's the deal, I took this to one of our local shops here in town.. got back and noticed the next day there was a nasty loud leak. Took it back, they said it was fixed, well it wasn't. (I've been working crazy hours and haven't had time to do this myself.)
Crawled under the truck and noticed 2 studs were never put back in, 2 were loose. (passenger side) Went over to the driver side... 2 studs missing, not really much of a leak but that gasket is getting replaced anyway. Bottom stud hole on the head passenger side closest to the firewall, is stripped. That explains why it was loose.

Thanks in advance.

 

[danman]

The raised part faces the head

 

[danman]

I didn't install my long tubes with the jba gaskets, but the b pipes had the JBA gaskets, just to see whats what. They ended up leaking within a thousand miles or so...That's why they say inspect your long tubes on arrival, and throw away the supplied gaskets!

 

[nightowl]

I put dull side to the head. Arrow up^^. I would hammer that shop for shabby work.

 

[cajun56]

Arrows up ^^^^!

As per nightowl said.

I was under my Titan yesterday checking on "nuts" still tight and then moved on to gaskets for Bpipes.

Used all factory gaskets and no leaks.

 

[az-4x4]

Hey guys, thanks for the reply. I ended up putting the dull side against the head as well, but with the arrow down. Driver side I just had redone by a highly regarded shop near my office. They had to re-tap every bolt hole in the driver side head. I got all factory gaskets and studs from the nissan dealer before I redid the work the other shop screwed up. I have prepaid legal provided by my company which I've used more than once.. I'll do it again if I have to. Driver side set me back $400 in labor, but I'm definitely going to use this new shop I found for anything else I can't do myself.

 

[az-4x4]

I've been reading that it's best to move the upper o2 sensor down to the bung by the collector, so that you get readings from all cylinders and not just the one. I just can't find find an extension harness anywhere that would allow me to do this. I don't like cutting factory wires at all. I saw somewhere in the forum that someone was trying to make them, but that thread died back in 2012. From what I can tell, those extension harnesses do not exist, anyone ever find a vendor that makes them for a 2004? I know the plug changed around 2007.

 

[danman]

JauntyBishop had some made by a specialist company..It's in his mod list if you want to check it out. I inquired about some for my '14, but they couldn't get the parts or something like that. Good luck, I havent had any success. Don't cut and splice, it might work for a bit then give problems from what I hear

 

[nightowl]

The connectors for the extensions are not available now. Cajun tried to source them and never had any luck, 5123 motorsports cant get them anymore either is what im told.

 

[SE Off Road1]

From the ESM/FSM Manual:

"Install exhaust manifold gasket with the top of the triangular hole
on it facing up and its coating surface (gray side) facing exhaust
manifold side."

Following the manual I installed mine shinny side facing head.

 

[danman]

From the ESM/FSM Manual:

"Install exhaust manifold gasket with the top of the triangular hole
on it facing up and its coating surface (gray side) facing exhaust
manifold side."

Following the manual I installed mine shinny side facing head.

I did the same. I took note of the orientation of gaskets when I took the manifolds off. I don't think it really matters either way, a compression fit should seal either way. Also, the jba headers have a raised sealing suave that put pressure on the periphery of the exhaust ports, so I think either way should be fine. Thanks for the maintenance data

 

[nightowl]

Really doesn't matter. Arrow up ^^

 

[jennifer02431]

From the ESM/FSM Manual:

"Install exhaust manifold gasket with the top of the triangular hole
on it facing up and its coating surface (gray side) facing exhaust
manifold side."

Following the manual I installed mine shinny side facing head.

GOT ANY TIPS ON DOING THIS JOB????