What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

exhaust manifold gasket

78Suburban

78Suburban

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jul 4, 2005
Posts
2,609
Reaction score
0
Location
Georgia
In the past I installed some headers and had a leaky exhaust.. I'm gonna be putting the stock manifolds on the burb. Any tips on not having leaks? what ftlbs and torque pattern should I use? Paper, or cork gasket? single or double gaskets? Should I try the soaking in water trick? I wanna her your experiences.
thanks,
James
 
Why would you want to put the factory manifolds back on the burb? I don't think that my 89 factory manifolds had gaskets on them when I took them off and put on a set of headers from summit. I would check and see if percy's makes something that will fit it. They make what they call "dead soft" aluminum gaskets and I have never been able to get them to leak. They have two layers of soft aluminum that seal really well. I had them on a 5.0 mustang that had headers and always drug the drivers side. I tried paper then copper and both leaked. Then I got the percy's and never leaked again. That is just my .02, and like I said, I don't know if they make gaskets for factory manifolds or not.

Erik
 
GM makes a set of stainless steel exhaust manifold gaskets, I use them on my 63 Impala SS with factory ramhorn manifolds, never had a problem. My parts guy at the dealership says that he has never had a problem with them. Not sure of the part number, sorry
 
so if I use cork or paper if those are my only options? should I double, should I soak? :wink1:
thanks,
James
 
Have the exhaust manifolds resurfaced and then install them with NO gaskets and they will not leak. Also best to use a shakeproof washer under the heads of the bolts instead of lock washers.
 
4X4HIGH said:
Have the exhaust manifolds resurfaced and then install them with NO gaskets and they will not leak. Also best to use a shakeproof washer under the heads of the bolts instead of lock washers.
Click to expand...
how do you resurface them? how does a wire brush attachment on a grinder sound? What are shakeproof washers, never really heard of those...

so no gasket would be less likely to leak than a gasket?
thanks,
James
 
Take them to a machine shop and they can put them in their surfacing machine and resurface them. A shakeproof washer is a washer with serrations all around either the inside or outside of it. If you ever seen a flexplate washer those are shakeproof washers.

Yes, once the manifold is surfaced flat there is a way less chance of a leak without a gasket. Also around here i charge $40.00 a piece to resurface exhaust manifolds just so you have an idea of what they might charge you.
 
I've had good luck using the metal replacement gaskets (three pieces per side) from any of the chain stores. The header-type one piece gaskets don't work as well with the stock manifolds.

Using a locking washer is a good idea. Chevy exhaust manifold bolts loosen faster than any other bolt known to man!
 
When using factory cast manifolds I make sure the are clean and flat. I bolt them on WITHOUT gaskets. I have never had them leak! The only time I use manifold gaskets is when running headers.
 
What about in big blocks? Same run without gaskets? If I didnt resurface the stockers but put in gaskets will it still leak? I would rather not have to have them machined. It would be cheaper to throw in gaskets then resurfacing. I know its not expensive but I would rather put that money towards a nice set of headers instead.
 
boy, do they ever leak!!!!!!

Fired my engine today. Set the timing on it. When I installed the exhaust manifolds, I put gaskets on the side with all the AC bracketry. The other side got pulled kinda close too the engine, and I was having a hard time prying it back, so I installed that side WITHOUT gaskets. I didn't use a torque wrench on either side, and I torqued evenly from the outside in. Both sides poured out smoke like crazy... I got a major face full of fumes. I don't wanna have to pay to have my manifolds machines, and no I don't want headers. My exhaust manifolds bolts are rusted down smaller than 9/16 and one has a head that is a little rounded.

So what do I do from here? try to get some more metal gaskets and use a torque wrench? Where is the best place to get manifold bolts?
Thanks in advance,
James
 
get the copper or alum gaskets . they worked on my friends he keeped having leaks . i just cleaned my manifolds when they were takin off but i tightend the inside bolts then the outer , no gaskets and no leaks maybe i got lucky. GOOD LUCK!!
 
leave the headers on. replace the gaskets with atock type manifold gaskets, and replace your collector gaskets with deadsoft aluminum versions. after i started doing this, i have never had a header leak since.
 
beater_k20 said:
leave the headers on. replace the gaskets with atock type manifold gaskets, and replace your collector gaskets with deadsoft aluminum versions. after i started doing this, i have never had a header leak since.
Click to expand...
Its stock exhaust manifolds. I left the gaskets off the passenger side just to see what would happen, since some people don't use them. I put gaskets on the PITA driver side w/ AC bracketry. Both sides leak. Guess I suck at tightening bolts correctly or something.
thanks,
James
 
i gathered from your first post that you have the headers in your posession... stock exhaust manifold gaskets are like $5, and the dead soft aluminum collector gaskets run 15-20.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom