Exhaust manifold gaskets

[HoleshotHolset]

I bought the gaskets today... . List price $1. 90/each... I paid $1. 44/each...

Okay, they have a raised bead on one side... . which side goes towards the engine? I'm thinking the beaded side goes towards the engine... .

Anything I should watch out for other than the nicely rusted bolts?



Matt

I scanned this as the digital camera wasn't handy... . it came out okay at best... .

 

[Garry Verheyden]

Matt,

I have replaced my manifold gaskets a few times since I warped my exhaust manifold, it made no diffeference which way I faced the dimple on the gaskets. My last 2 cylinders were so bad I actually took 2 gaskets and put them with the dimples facing in opposite directoins from each other on each of the last 2 cylinders. This stopped the squeaking for over a year even while towing heavy loads and using my exhaust brake. The exhaust brake always seems to make an almost undetectable exh. leak sound irritating. 6 weeks ago I bought the 3 piece manifold from ATS , took my 16000 lb. fifth wheel on a 1700 mile trip and there was not one leak. If you have the money to upgrade to this I would highly recommend it. I used to regularly pin my pyrometer at 1500 degrees , now with my advanced timing,ATS manifold and Piers modified HX35 its almost impossible to hit 1350. On a few hard acceleration tests to 115 Mph I never went beyond 1200. Obviously at these speeds I wasnt attatched to my trailer.

Garry.

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

Garry:

I have also bought a set of gaskets and have not installed them yet. I tried a 13 mm box end wrench on a couple of the bolts with no success. I intend to look for a 6 point 1/2 in drive socket before I get serious. Do you have any hints on breaking these rusted bolts loose?... . a torch on the manifold ears?..... penetrating oil????

 

[bigkid59]

Hello Matt!



I just looked up exhaust manifold gasket replacement in my Cummins shop manual and it says that the gaskets can be installed with either surface on either side.

By the way, the torque specification for the manifold bolts is 32 ft-lb. They also show a sequence for tightening. You start with the upper bolt on number 3 cylinder, followed by the lower bolt on number 3, then the lower bolt on number 4 cylinder , then the upper bolt on number 4 cylinder. By now you probably notice that you are going in a clockwise direction from the middle out. Just continue that direction until all bolts are tightened.



Hope this helps!

 

[Garry Verheyden]

Boldts Wagen,

Definately will make it easier with a 1/2" drive socket. But for some of the nuts you cant get to with the socket I just used a closed end wrench with a hammer. From what I remember ,I used a torch on the real stubborn nuts got them nice and hot and loosened them with a hammer and wrench. Putting them back on I torqued them to 33 lbs and double wrenched the ones under the turbo as tight as I could. (same on the first cylinder where you cant get the socket on)

Garry.

 

[Steve Campbell]

We used to have the exhaust manifolds surfaced every engine rebuild (400,00) on our VT903's and that stopped all exhaust leaks at the head for us. If you try it, you might like it.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The stock exhaust manifold is not a very good grade of iron. It keeps shrinking until it either breaks the end bolts or breaks off the ear on the head. The ATS manifold is much better, 3 pieces so it can expand and conotract, better material, higher flow. Email me off line and I can suggest sources for it. I recommend porting the mouths a little and definately assemble it before attempting to install it.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Okay, sorry I haven't been able to reply sooner... been busy all weekend.

Sounds as if I might need the ATS manifold sooner than I thought... . it comes with the twin-turbo setups that some folks are selling so I will be a bit ahead of the game if I buy it now!

$450 is a good chunk of change... ... it would be nice to get it cheaper... .

Thanks to all who responded... . seems as though I might want to hold off until I get an ATS... . but I am loosing boost and have been loosing it for some time now.....

I only have ~$8 into a set of gaskets... . I might just fix my exhaust leak for now and then do the upgrade.



Matt - will work for high performance diesel parts.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Question?

Joseph Donnelly, given that it is an inferior material, what will make it last the longest? Ample cool-down time/minor vs major bombing, etc???

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Success!

I changed the #1 & #2 cylinder exhaust manifold gaskets... . I only had to loosen the bolts of #1-3 and was able to slide in the two gaskets with a little bit of persuasion via a big crowbar (don't try this at home, folks... ).

Boost comes on much more quickly and the truck pulls much better now..... it feels a LOT better.

Thanks to all that helped... I'm hoping this little fix lasts until I can get my hands on an ATS manifold.



Matt

 

[QRTRHRS]

I would advise anyone who purchases the ATS manifold to imediately test the fit. Mine sat for a few weeks before I sent it to Jett Hot to be coated. Got it back and again it sat until I had time to install it. As I recall reading, the "bell ends" should be tight, perhaps requiring a rubber mallet to tap them together. I had one that fit in that manner and one that was sloppy.



So, here I am, more than a month had gone by since I bought the manifold, I had had it coated and it was on my truck and leaking through the loose fitting. I thought perhaps it would seal with carbon over time. It did to some extent but not entirely. I finally got around to ordering new gaskets and when they come in, my intent is to seal it up with something I got from a boiler maint man. Don't ask.



Had I tested the manifold, I would have promptly returned it. Okay, my fault for not. My big problem is, phone calls not being returned from the manufacturer who I did call. I had only hoped that ATS could suggest a sealing compound. No problem there either. Be a cold day when I buy from them again.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

This is not good news... . I can't think of any one single thing that would make me more upset than having all the parts ready to go and have them NOT fit properly.

I sure hope ATS gets their act together soon, as I won't be doing business with them if this continues.



Matt

 

[QRTRHRS]

I am not saying ATS makes junk. No company checks 100% of everything they make anymore so crap happens. Poor customer service though is one thing that really gets me going. I am just suggesting that it would be prudent to check the bell fit right away if you buy one of their manifolds.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Okay... check the bell ends... gotcha.

I must have misread it... . I thought it was messed up at the gasket surfaces... . too much studying and not enough dieseling!!!



Thanks a metric-ton!

Matt