Replacement Hi-Po Exhaust Manifold Gaskets

Are you referring to the donut gaskets? If so, there are suitable replacements available. If you're referring to gaskets between the exhaust manifolds and the cylinder heads, Ford never used any there.

I will have to respectfully disagree with Charles about there not being an exhaust gasket between the head and the exhaust manifold every 260,289, and 302 that I have ever disassembled has had an exhaust gasket. Felpro gasket kit MS90000 has both the donut and exhaust manifold gaskets included in the box for around $15.00 and can be purchased at most any good auto parts store. As far as getting the bolts out of the manifold...good luck... I would suggest a lot of WD40 and time.

I sprayed my bolts with both WD40 and some penetrating oil while both hot and cold over the coarse of a week and it seemed to really help. The replacement donut I got from NPD works well and I did not take the exhaust manifolds off so I don't know about a gasket there.

Jack

sixfiveGT, you are totally wrong on the gaskets, sorry. Ford didn't use them on our cars.

Charles is correct-no exhaust manifold to head gaskets. We always have our manifolds check and/or machined flat (very little material if any is removed) just so they fit to the head with no leaks/problems.

so, if they are not perfect planar surfaces,

can one use a gasket in lieu of machining?

iowa

Quote from iowa

so, if they are not perfect planar surfaces,

can one use a gasket in lieu of machining?

iowa

Absolutely, just stating as matter of fact that Ford never used them. A machine shop could probably mill a set flat if necessary.

Given the weight of the clubs(read that to mean expertise) that have hit me on the head.... I guess I must stand corrected as far as what Ford did in the begining as far as exhaust gaskets are concerned.... and learned something in the process....

I still stand by my statement that all of the engines that I have had the opportunity to disassemble all had exhaust gaskets. (as you have pointed out perhaps not correct. Felpro and a variety of other gasket makers seem to do a good business selling this gasket... perhaps this wasn't one of Ford's better ideas.... machining two surfaces flat certainly can make for a good seal in the begining but over time casting shift, heat and other factors can play a roll in the seal quality.... Given that the author of this tread has a 100K plus engine that may or may not be ready for a rebuild and assuming it is the manifold that is leaking...the least expensive fix at this point in time would be to use one of the available gaskets.

I do admit when I am wrong and it seems this is one of those times..sorry for the confusion and I consider this a learning moment...

Remember, parts left out are not subject to failure -

Jim