Tightening down a manifold leak, any luck?

[crowdaddy]

The 230 inline 6 64 c-10 I'm working with has as I mentioned in an earlier thread a manifold leak. Before I break my knuckles trying to tighten it with a wrench, is this a possible fix if I can move the bolts tighter?

[Sharps40]

My experience...no. I always replace with a felpro steel sandwich gasket and forget about having a leak for another 25 years or so.

[crowdaddy]

If I instruct my local mechanic to put a Felpro steel seal in will they be able to do it? They are pretty good. 25 years sounds great. Thank y for reply.

[Tx Firefighter]

FelPro is just a brand name. Probably the finest gaskets made. They are universally available at most all parts stores. Any mechanic can do the gasket change. Just make sure and specify you want one brand of gasket and no substitutions.

I absolutely would not try tightening the bolts up if they're already snug. If you do that, your next thread is most likely to be entitled "Help, broke off bolt in my cylinder head". You do not want to go down that road under any circumstances.

[crowdaddy]

I'm still laughing, and I appreciate your forethought. This is a great site, and if I might pose this question, any range for approximate cost of installing the gasket and or changing manifold?

[Snailed]

Did that manifold have a gasket from the factory?

[TJ's Chevy]

Here's what I'd do...that exhaust manifold is 50 years old no doubt...you can get brand new one from LMC or The truck and car shop....I'd get a new one..and purchase an intake/exhaust gasket from Clifford Performance...They are a hard rubber gasket and will seal right up...I use them and have headers an no leaks what so ever. $20 for the gasket..and you can seal that sucker right up...and when if comes to tightening...pull the manifold...clean the head surface and manifold flanges...put back on with the gasket....Snug the bolts good...take if for a 5+ miles drive...then the next day re-snug the bolts and call if good for...well...however long it is before problem arise. lol

[rusty76]

Here's some more food for thought. If you are having problems with the gasket sealing up there may be problems with the surface of the manifold. Not straight and so on. A good gasket like from Clifford would work nicely. On our race car which has a 230 we use a gasket that is made to be soaked in water before putting on. It swells up and does a great job at sealing. These gaskets are hard to find. I can't remember the name of the company that makes them. But a good gasket and a good surface should do the trick. Good luck.

[crowdaddy]

Yeah, thanks guys, I'm on it, waiting for some paperwork, and a midnight drive through town smokin'