My dads 1919 developed an exhaust leak. First we found that someone had used gaskets instead of the rings and copper gaskets. Manifold was warped, so a new one from Langs. Now everything is cleaned up and put back together and it still leaks. It is almost like the line up rings are not letting the manifold pull up tight to seal on the copper washers. Any ideas? Thanks Jim
Good Morning Jim,
I had a similar situation. The glands were too long. I had to grind them down. Then everything worked just right!
Floyd
It could also be that the ports on the block aren't level. This was the case on my '24. If there was an exhaust leak that continued for a while, especially one on cylinder #1 or #4, it can damage the metal around the ports on the block. On mine, the exhaust ports on cylinders #1-3 are level and fine, but #4 is pretty bad. My manifold was warped as well, so I bought a new one. It still leaked around #4. To solve the leak, I purchased these gaskets from Snyders: http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/578 I purchased two sets, and I cut out just one of the holes from the second set and used it to double up the gasket around #4. No leaks since!
Also, I found that if the ports are a bit chewed up, the copper rings may not seat on them properly and won't make a good seal. I typically use the stock glands with the gaskets, so the gaskets are lined up properly.
Floyd has a point. If the manifold fits over all the gland rings and won't tighten up something's holding it out from the block/exhaust ports preventing a seal with the copper rings. The gland rings are too wide or the lands haven't been properly cleaned out. I know some here don't recommend them but I've used the gaskets, (with the gland rings), Cameron mentions. No problems.
All of the above could be the cause. See the pictures below of a severely corroded block with an uneven surface. It was milled smooth in the center and the first and last exhaust ports were machined out and an insert was made to fit in to bring the surface out flush with the block. The manifold and rings will hold the inserts into place. It worked and no more exhaust leaks.
See other 3 pictures on next post.
Norm
Continued
The inserts were actually placed in all the exhaust ports on this block.
Norm
The rings can be too wide if the block surface has been milled quite a bit to clean up the surface, which is not too hard to do when you see how badly pitted they can be after 75-100 yrs, Don PDX.
Filed down the rings and it sealed perfectly. Thanks for the help.