exhaust manifold gasket

[texas69bee]

I am looking for a good exhaust manifold gasket. I've been checking reviews and nobody seems to be that satisfied. This is for a stock Hp exhaust for a 69 383. What sucks and what worked for you?

 

[SublimeSixpack]

Just to clarify, are you referring to a gasket that goes between the manifold and the head surface, or the gasket at the manifold flange to head pipe?

 

[khryslerkid]

Found this at the bottom of this page,

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...t-gasket-shall-I-use-for-the-exhaust-manifold

 

[texas69bee]

Between the head and the exhaust manifold

 

[Mark B]

No gasket from the factory. If you use one you could crack the ears on the manifold. Take the manifolds to a good machine shop and have the surfaces ground or milled flat and you should be good to go.

 

[dieseldazzle]

Sound they NEVER used a gasket on the exhaust manifold on a big block mopar? I pulled apart a 69 383 with under 10,000 miles on it even had factory spark plug wires that were date coded and it had the gaskets. Every big block ive ever worked on has had them? was this a service item???

 

[Meep-Meep]

X2 Mark B. Back in the 80's my buddy took apart a completely original 70 383 RR and it had no gaskets. But when he put it back together the manifolds leaked because once you take them off they will never sit flat again without being machined. Gaskets were the easy solution and worked. My hemi Charger has no gaskets and all I did was use some high temp orange RTV. Even on my cars with headers (not warped flanges) I don't use a gasket. Just the RTV and brand new lock washers. I say new washers because you need the crisp edge to bite into the header flange and nut.

But you can use a gasket if you are careful. I have done it. The gaskets to use are the ones with the perforated steel side, which goes to the manifold.

- - - Updated - - -

Sound they NEVER used a gasket on the exhaust manifold on a big block mopar? I pulled apart a 69 383 with under 10,000 miles on it even had factory spark plug wires that were date coded and it had the gaskets. Every big block ive ever worked on has had them? was this a service item???

They were likely apart before you got there. Even factory warranty work they were likely to use a gasket when it went back together.

 

[texas69bee]

You learn something new everyday. I always thought they were a standard part of the build. Thanks guys!

 

[SublimeSixpack]

FWIW
I've owned five "original unmolested" '67 to '70 HP Big block Mopars and not one came from the factory with gaskets between the exhaust manifolds and heads. I've had the manifolds off and back on four of the five cars (engines) and have never had any problems with leaks there.
Maybe I've been lucky, but it's never been an issue on any of my cars.

 

[cr8crshr]

These will work for you. I used them on my 383 build with 440Source Aluminum heads and aftermarket Year One HP Exhaust Manifolds. No leaks as the gasket material will compress as the Manifolds are tightened and create a great and good seal. Only usable one time and yes a little pricy. But the do work excellent. Check them out...cr8crshr/Tuck

http://catalog.remflex.com/MOPAR_Header_Exhaust_Manifold_Gasket_p/6002.htm

 

[Grabinov911]

Schumacher Performance sells great manifold gaskets too. No leaks yet...

 

[monaco66coupe]

I Don't use them either on the 383-440 engines, and have never found them on any original bb or RB cars I have taken apart.I have a leaky 400 Magnum on the Cordoba, but it is because somebody installed a gasket, which promptly blew out. The slant six does use one, as the head is so long the head (bellys") out over time, and the small block does to provide a heat shield for the wires.
My GTS had one on the left, none on the right, original unmolested.(340)

 

[ODZKing]

73 - 400 HP here and I used one on reassembly before putting the engine back in. Let's cut to the chase, they burned out 3 times before I had a shop finally do it right. Took the exhaust manifolds off, planed them and reinstalled with no gasket.
Gaskets WILL eventually go. Then all you'll hear is tick, tick .........

 

[Burnsey]

make sure manifolds are not warped, take graffite powder mix with bearing grease small amount put on exhaust manifold about 1/8 thick tourqe to specs will not leak factory does this reason no gaskets from factory

 

[DVO]

Sound they NEVER used a gasket on the exhaust manifold on a big block mopar? I pulled apart a 69 383 with under 10,000 miles on it even had factory spark plug wires that were date coded and it had the gaskets. Every big block ive ever worked on has had them? was this a service item???

I worked at Chrysler's Trenton Engine Plant from 64 to 80 as a Quality Control Engineering Mechanic and can verify that there were no exhaust manifold gaskets or any other type of sealant used on big block engines during that time.

dvo

 

[monaco66coupe]

I swear before I start that darn 400 Cordoba again I'm going to drop that exhaust manifold and throw that stupid gasket away!

 

[ODZKing]

Maybe I should ask, where is it leaking ... one the block OR where the manifolds meet the head pipes?
I had that problem as well. The metal was so bent at the head pipe connection, that the exhaust gasket would blow out!
I solved THAT by putting a donut type gasket instead of the (sort of) oval one.

 

[6pktgo]

I used "The Right Stuff". Expensive, but I put a thin layer on my factory HP exhaust manifolds, on my 70 440 six pack (advise from my engine builder), no gasket & 5 summers running & not a problem.