Exhaust Gaskets

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eestatic

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Hey Fabo!

I'm getting a lot of advice here lately....how about this.

A diesel mechanic here in town claims that an exhaust manifold will move less with no gasket (assuming head flange & manifold flange optimum true-ness)

After having my manifolds shaved off by .250 he says they will probably crack but my best chance is to Not use a gasket to eliminate movement which in turn causes the cracking to appear..

I am using the conical washers on the inside two ports to help distribute the load around bolt holes.

318 with '92 Dakota manifolds

What say ye?
 
I never ran gaskets on my big block A bodies with the B-body manifolds. I just made sure they were flat and clean.
 
IF everything is true, you shouldn't need them.

When I pulled the original manifolds from my 'teen, there weren't any gaskets and it didn't leak!
 
No gaskets? Im curious as Im installing heads and manifolds now on 273. All stock.

You should be good to go. I would check my manifolds on a known flat concrete slab and gently "file" the flange area to make sure there were no low spots.
 
correct me if wrong, but didn't BB engines come from the assembly line with out gaskets!????

I know most didn't but I have encountered some truck and R/V applications that had a combination heat shield-gasket. Most of the old head sets included those worthless sandwich type exhaust manifold gaskets in the kit.
 
I think you need some movement to avoid cracks. The important part is the correct end stud washers and nuts, tightened to no more than 15 Ft-Lbs. The gaskets wear due to movement, no gasket, glides metal on metal, and still seals.
 
I think you need some movement to avoid cracks. The important part is the correct end stud washers and nuts, tightened to no more than 15 Ft-Lbs. The gaskets wear due to movement, no gasket, glides metal on metal, and still seals.

Super responses people! Thanks!!

What actually causes the crack process to occur?

Thanks
 
IF everything is true, you shouldn't need them.

When I pulled the original manifolds from my 'teen, there weren't any gaskets and it didn't leak!

I'm banking on trueness of machine work, altho I neglected to check head..:/
 
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