Aluminum Heads With Cast Iron Exhaust Manifolds: Gaskets?
 

I am going to be using stock cast iron exhaust manifolds with Edelbrock aluminum heads. Do I need to use any gaskets with this setup?

On factory assembled 427 and 454 engines with aluminum heads, there were NO gaskets used between the exhaust manifolds and heads.

However, for small block applications, you should ask this question in the C4 forum, as some of those years did use aluminum heads with cast iron exhaust manifolds, I believe.

I believe that you should use an exhaust gasket ... anyone that fits. And, because old cast manifolds have often warped, you should have them checked for true and resurfaced if needed. If they're warped, it might take alotta torque on them to seal ... maybe enough to pull threads outta alum heads. Tube headers tend to bend & conform much more easily than cast manifolds.

I did when I put mine together and I haven't had any issues.

Edelbrock recommends Fel-Pro 1404 exhaust gaskets for use with their heads when running manifolds or headers with a 1.50" x 1.50" square port , Fel-Pro 1444 for use with 1.38" x 1.38" square manifold port size.

Here's the link to Summit Fel-Pro chart:

http://www.summitracing.com/catalogs...june/162f.html