Exhaust manifold gaskets? do you need them?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
Exhaust manifold gaskets? do you need them?
On an Iron headed motor using cast iron exhaust manifolds, do you need to use gaskets?
If you have the manifolds "planned" (milled flat), is it neccessary to use those ugly exhaust manifold gaskets?
Anybody running a set-up with no gaskets on exhaust manifolds?
My motor in question is a Big Block w/ iron heads, manifolds are currently off the car, getting Jet-Hot coated.
If you have the manifolds "planned" (milled flat), is it neccessary to use those ugly exhaust manifold gaskets?
Anybody running a set-up with no gaskets on exhaust manifolds?
My motor in question is a Big Block w/ iron heads, manifolds are currently off the car, getting Jet-Hot coated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
It'll be noisy if you don't, you'll end up with small exhaust leaks that sound like ticking noises, very similar to noisy lifters. Even if the manifolds and/or head mating surface is milled flat, it'll still leak and make noise eventually.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Some V8s used to come from the factory that way, not sure if the BBC was one of them. But I've put BBC manifolds on w/o gaskets after resurfacing them and don't recall ever having any problems or leaks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 91
Exhaust Gaskets
Originally Posted by NASCAR314
On an Iron headed motor using cast iron exhaust manifolds, do you need to use gaskets?
If you have the manifolds "planned" (milled flat), is it neccessary to use those ugly exhaust manifold gaskets?
Anybody running a set-up with no gaskets on exhaust manifolds?
My motor in question is a Big Block w/ iron heads, manifolds are currently off the car, getting Jet-Hot coated.
If you have the manifolds "planned" (milled flat), is it neccessary to use those ugly exhaust manifold gaskets?
Anybody running a set-up with no gaskets on exhaust manifolds?
My motor in question is a Big Block w/ iron heads, manifolds are currently off the car, getting Jet-Hot coated.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 32,519
Likes: 1
From: central America
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I've always used them...kind of like cheap insurance. I hate playing with exhaust, and for the small price they command (less then $10 for fel pro from my local parts store) I don't see any reason not to use them. They've never caused any leaks for me.
trw
trw
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 283
From: Puyallup WA
I would start out without any gaskets. If any leaks developed it would be easy enough to add a set.
The last couple of motors I've run with exhaust manifolds have not had any gaskets and no leaks.
Steve
The last couple of motors I've run with exhaust manifolds have not had any gaskets and no leaks.
Steve
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: California Missouri
No Gaskets on my 327 350hp
I haven't noticed any leaks,, thanks,, my 94 chevy pickup didn't have any when I switched to headers,, it didn't have any leaks,,, heck ,, most of the stock manifolds I have seen don't have gaskets if they are cast iron that is.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
