Hey everybody,

I haven't been on the site in a while, because I've been working on my /6. Put a remanufactured engine in and I've driven it for 500 miles now, so I think it's going to take. I'd like to thank everybody for encouragement and giving me the confidence to do the transplant.

My problem is that I keep blowing out gaskets between the exhaust manifold and header pipe. I've got a super six manifold going to the stock flange on stock pipe which flares out to two and a quarter a couple of inches off the engine. I'm using two stock gaskets, just as recommended. I've got brass three eighth inch (body, not head) bolts which match the thread in the exhaust manifold and then are capped with lock washers and nuts holding the two flanges together.

But they still loosen up. I've tried the high heat RTV as well--it will hold together a couple of weeks and then it's back to leaking.

Any suggestions?

Thanks again for sharing all you all's great knowledge,

Joe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

Are the bolts loosening? Or is the gasket burning up and deterioriating, leaving a hole that is most likely always in the same spot? I found that the angle of the pipe flange needs to match the angle of the manifold flange perfectly. Otherwise, the side which is clamped less tightly will blow out. The only real fix is to loosen the clamps on the rest of the exhaust system, rotate the entire pipe a little until the flanges at the front are seated square to each other, then tighten the system again.

- Erik

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Lots of early Valiants and Barracudas have crossed my path.
Also a handful of other toys for variety now and then.

I agree with Erik, the flange may not be making even contact to the manifold face.
Along with doing the re-alignment, also check to be sure the flange is flat.
Many times the edges get pulled-up around the bolt holes in a way that puts little to no pressure or "crush" in the middle of the gasket.
I like to grind the flange flat just to be sure it puts even contact all the way around the gasket.
DD
http://www.dutra.org/doug/draft-webpage ... nge-cl.jpg

Hey Erik, nice to see you over here along with the EVBC, and Doc, thanks as always.

Over the weekend I loosened up the exhaust, filed down the header pipe flange, got two new gaskets and used lots of red RTV and bolted it all back together. So far so good.

Erik-- you were right, it was burning out the gaskets--at the sides--which would indicate Doc's diagnosis of a flange not being flat.

Also thanks for the tip on the Yankee Gasket (sorry forgot your name, tipster). Haven't tried it yet but may go that route.

Sure would be nice if this problem were fixed for good,

Joe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"