changing manafold gaskets how do i not ring bolts

insane moto

insane moto

wheelinrover
Joined
Jan 18, 2009
Location
mt airy
i got a manifold gasket leaking on a ford 390 engine passenger side. i heard these motors are bad for this.how do i keep from ringing bolts off besides using wd40 or pg blast? also i heard you have to get the manifold surfaced before re installing is this true? thanks i appriciate any ideas or help you can give me.
 
You are correct. They are bad to leak, and also bad to break bolts off. As far as I know there is no sure fire way to not break them off. I have known people to grind the heads off, and take off the manifold, then heat the area with a torch and vice grip them out. But this takes a lot of heat. The reason most have to be surfaced, both manifold and head, is that the leak will usually erode the surface making it near impossible to seal.
 
do i have to surface manifold and head or just manifold? i checked on a new manifold 28 bucks.would that be cheaper than getting manifold surfaced? thanks for any info
 
If the problem persists there is a company called Byson Gasket that makes extra thick exhaust gaskets. I've used them on headers that wouldn't seal. On the bolts good luck, hopefully they won't ring off flush with the head.
 
I had a 72 ford that had the 390. PITA I broke all mine off. Had to take the heads to work to get the bolts out. You could also try copper gaskets.
 
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