MTFCA Forum

Is one side or the other of the exhaust and intake manifold supposed to go a certain way? It looks like one side a small lip and the other side does not.
Steve in Fort Myers, FL

I used manifold gaskets, copper clad from Snyders with new gland rings, do I also need the copper ring type gaskets too?

If you're using the T-3063-CR copper ring gaskets that's all you need. I use them exclusively and love them.

Hi Steven,
No you do not need the T-3063 copper ring with the T-3063-C Gasket. Do the T-3063-C gaskets have a copper ring on them ( some do)
The steel backed ones I have are folded so the ring has to go to the manifold side?
Craig.

It sounds as though you are using the gasket shown below (see arrow). If you have the gland rings and the gaskets, that is all that is needed. It does not matter which way the "lip" is facing.

Steven; The metal gland rings properly locate and maintain the correct position of the exhaust manifold to the block. Not using them is the reason that 99% of the used manifolds found at flea markets are warped )"drooped"), and not serviceable any more. What you use with the gland rings is secondary to using the gland rings, although most prefer the copper crushable type sealing rings.

Well said Bruce. However, using the thin gland rings made from strips of steel as sold by the vendors is not the complete answer either. I cut my own rings from appropriately sized exhaust pipe/tubing to get a continuous ring. These can even be chamferred a bit to aid in fitting them.

Allan from down under.

I have never used the copper gaskets with the thin copper gland on only one side, but the reason for the gland going through both the block and the manifold is to keep the manifold from sagging. The problem is that the back of the manifold gets the heat from all 4 cylinders with the weight of the flange and exhaust pipe, so when it heats up it will get soft and bend causing the back end of the manifold to sag or it will raise the manifold above numbers 2&3 ports. This will cause exhaust leaks. So you can use the flat gaskets with the glands, not so sure you can use the copper ones with glands. Those flat gaskets are easier to install but the copper rings along with the glands will give you the best seal.
Norm

Steven,
Is there a chance that you have the T3063/3C gaskets I think those are the ones that Norm referred to? The ones I have do not have a large
enough hole for the gland rings to fit in. The only thing the thin copper ring will do is help locate the exhaust manifold as you install it.
Because of that I have never used them. Which may be handy for installing warped manifolds. Warped manifolds seems to be were this
thread has digressed to.
So do the swap meet venders only sell junk, the vast majority of people didn't use the gland rings or even using the gland rings doesn't
stop the manifolds from warping? Just wandering because I have pried manifolds off engines that had all 6 gland rings in place and it had
to be straightened to reinstall on the same engine? I'm thinking Henry used the gland rings to speed up the assembly time rather than
spending the money for the better gaskets, rather than trying to keep the manifold straight for a 100 years????
Craig.

"Even if you are on the right track you will get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers

3063 and 3064. No gaskets.

I regard a set of sturdy gland rings as essential. They are what keeps the exhaust manifold from warping over repeated heat cycles over time. I suspect the three hole gaskets were developed to enable a warped manifold to be fitted, kind of. The copper gaskets with the thin flange one one side will fit the ports in the block. Then the warped manifold can be clamped against the outside of the gasket to make the seal, of sorts. For the seal to be made, the only clamping sforce available is that applied by the four manifold clamps and nuts. With nothing to hold the manifold ports in line, it is free to migrate any which way during heating/cooling, exacerbating the warpage as it does so.
The answer is a straightened/new manifold, and a set of full circle gland rings. My choice would be the solid copper individual one piece rings/gaskets made here in Australia, and offered by the vendors at a premium price. If you need a few sets, save some dollars by ordering them directly from Fuel Tank and Radiator Services from their website.

Allan from down under.

Sets of 6 solid copper gland rings/gaskets from info@ftra.com.au for approx US$17. You should be able to get a few sets under the first postage increment for the same postage cost.

Allan from down under.

In my experience, the solid copper ones from Australia are the absolute best solution. I have had several issues with the steel rings sold with the copper crush rings burning thru and finding the remains of them in my mufflers. Most folks probably don't put enough miles on a car for that to happen , but that's why I started using the solid copper ones and have has no problems since. Larry Smith may disagree with me, but that's another story!