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Exhaust Manifold Tricks #1051211
08/11/11 03:32 PM
08/11/11 03:32 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 992
Simi Valley, CA
MoparJ Offline OP
super stock
MoparJ  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 992
Simi Valley, CA
I am having issues with my right side C body big block exhaust manifold gasket blowing out every 500 or so miles. I replace the Fel Pro gaskets and it is ok for a while, but will gradually blow out. I clean the surfaces on the head and manifold each time to make sure everything is as well prepped as possible. I have done this three times.

There may be a slight crack in the manifold, or it may not be quite straight, but I plan to switch over to some headers when I can find some at some point with the right price. In the meantime, has anyone used any kind of RTV on the head side, or manifold side of the gasket to help sealing out? Is double gasketing worth a shot?

I am not inclined to remove and resurface the manifold.


2016 Ram 1500 Crew Cab: 5.7, 65RFE, 4.56 gears with locker, Hemifever tuned, AFE intake, 87mm throttle body, JBA headers, 3" Flowmaster exhaust, split to dual 2.5" exits. 13.57 best ET so far.

Searching for new A or B Body Project!
Re: Exhaust Manifold Tricks [Re: MoparJ] #1051212
08/11/11 05:03 PM
08/11/11 05:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,004
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR Offline
I Win
JohnRR  Offline
I Win

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,004
U.S.S.A.
Quote:



I am not inclined to remove and resurface the manifold.




You may not be inclined to do it but like it or not that is what needs to be done, after umpteen thousand heat cycles the manifold has warped.

Put it on a flat surface and see how bad , you may get away with just doubling it in the middle , but it's not that expensive to have just the one side done though both are warped.

Re: Exhaust Manifold Tricks [Re: MoparJ] #1051213
08/11/11 10:49 PM
08/11/11 10:49 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,313
Prospect, PA
BSB67 Offline
master
BSB67  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,313
Prospect, PA
Make sure that you are using gaskets that have the port that matches the port in the head/manifold...no larger. Some gaskets for headers have port openings that are both larger, and corners that are more square (less radius) and will leak shortly after installation. I have seen this more than once.

Re: Exhaust Manifold Tricks [Re: JohnRR] #1051214
08/11/11 10:49 PM
08/11/11 10:49 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 650
Kansas
R
racincuda Offline
mopar
racincuda  Offline
mopar
R

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 650
Kansas
Use RTV and NO gasket, make shur everything is clean, let it set up completly. So long as you dont hav lots of exhaust back pressure it will prob stay put.
I sealed an 1/8 header gap that way, quit blowing out once I quit using gaskets

Re: Exhaust Manifold Tricks [Re: racincuda] #1051215
08/11/11 11:03 PM
08/11/11 11:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,543
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Offline
The Doctor is in.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,543
Eagle, Idaho
Use high temp copper rtv on the gasket, or leave the gasket out and seal it with just the rtv.

Re: Exhaust Manifold Tricks [Re: Neil] #1051216
08/12/11 07:29 AM
08/12/11 07:29 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
S
scratchnfotraction Offline
I Live Here
scratchnfotraction  Offline
I Live Here
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida


both my mannys have copper rtv and no gaskets

used brake clean to wipe the heads and manny down,then used copper rtv on them,let cure over night and no leaks so far.

done it on warped header flanges as well.


Re: Exhaust Manifold Tricks [Re: scratchnfotraction] #1051217
08/12/11 03:32 PM
08/12/11 03:32 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,255
IL
furious70 Offline
top fuel
furious70  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,255
IL
I use copper rtv on both sides as well, doesn't seem to matter what type of gasket, it sealed up headers that had always been prone to leaking after a season of driving.


70 Sport Fury
68 Charger
69 Coronet
72 RR
Re: Exhaust Manifold Tricks [Re: furious70] #1051218
08/13/11 02:02 PM
08/13/11 02:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,530
Nunya CA
CR8CRSHR Offline
master
CR8CRSHR  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,530
Nunya CA
The important thing here is that MOPAR never used gaskets initially when they built these engines and cars. Just metal to metal. As JohnRR stated, you have warped manifolds. I had the same issue with my now sold C Body and after having the surface of the manifolds trued up by my shop, they bolted right up and never a leak or blow out. Get rid of the gaskets...

Re: Exhaust Manifold Tricks [Re: MoparJ] #1051219
08/14/11 02:42 PM
08/14/11 02:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,365
St.Louis,Mo.
70RR383 Offline
master
70RR383  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,365
St.Louis,Mo.
One word,REMFLEX.Best gaskets out there.1/8" thick,graphite.Follow directions,good costamer service well worth the money.







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