Has anyone put a pressure gauge on the exhaust to see how much back pressure an exhaust brake makes? Are they hard on the head gasket? Just wondering.

 

Check with Homestead - I believe he has one installed. You might have to send him a pm as he doesnt check in very often these days.

 

1) No.

2) How could they be?

3) Why?

 

My poor little mind just wonders in places like this. It wonders in alot more but I'm not revealing them!
I was just wondering, you couldn't shut the exhaust completely off, there has to be some flow somewhere I would think. Back pressure creates head gasket problems the same as boost or maybe worse but you are dealing with a hotter backpressure under boost.
A simple pressure gauge with enough copper line to keep from melting the rubber or plastic line going to the gauge will work.

 

The pressure could never be more than the compression ratio of the engine at idle, so the head gasket is not an issue. Since 60 pound exhaust valve springs are recommended, it's a pretty good bet that the max is 60 psi. I do know of people who have never changed out the 40 pound springs in their 12 valves (24 valve engines have 60 pound springs) and have not had a problem. That leaves me to believe it is usually less than 40 psi.