According to the 1963 Service Manual on pg 8-4 (450) below item 1.
On installing the exhaust manifold-

NOTE: Gaskets are not used between the cylinder head and the exhaust manifold.

The questions are...

Has anyone had experience with or without using exhaust manifold gaskets before?

Disadvantages and/or advantages?

I realize the manual is over 48 years olds and wanted to check on experience of others over the years..

Thanks for your input

Application- 1963 Starfire 394V8

 

I guess that I should use the 1963 Service Manual as my BIBLE to the OLDS....?

 

I think what you'll find is that the factory machined the mating surfaces true to each other and then used a graphite grease compound to seal the joint. Between manifold bolt torque and a few heat/cool cycles, it made a very effective seal once the graphite's carrier grease had burned away.

After 48 years you'll be very lucky if the manifold hasn't warped a little, but if you can get both surfaces true to each other, you should be able to accomplish this. If not, well, you may need a gasket but it will still not be as good a seal as the factory design.

 

I have read alot of threads regarding exhaust manifold gaskets and it still looks like it is about 50/50 depending on mating surface. I will see how they match up when I put them together in the shop before installing into vehicle. Thanks for the input...

 

I know for a fact that Cadillac used the same process. Knowledgeable Caddy engine folk recommend using gaskets any time the exhaust manifold has been removed. I don't see how doing so can hurt?

 

Gaskets are OK if you tighten the bolts in steps, and after a couple heat cycles recheck them for tightness. then once in a while verify the bolts are still tight. I'd rather have the heads and manifolds resurfaced and do the factory way, then there is no gasket to blow out. If available, I'd prefer copper gaskets. I fought for years with headers on my 1966 and retightening fiber gaskets, and finally went to copper. No more problems.

 

I agree with the others. If your manifolds and heads are true then you can get by without using a gasket; however, if you haven't recently rebuilt the engine and had your manifolds machined then chances are they aren't true. Use a gasket if you have to, just make sure to torque it properly.

 

I agree - no gasket needed!
If you're worried, use a light coating of 'muffler cement' - it works!

 

Chevrolet did this also on some 454's

 

Should I also use 'muffler cement' on the muffler bearings as well...?

 

Funny you mentioned "muffler cement", cause I was up at a long time mechanic-unfortunately he has no Olds- but he mentioned 'muffler putty' and showed me a tube of it that he purchased at Napa. Probably will go this way....

 

I did my 64 dynamic exhaust last year. Both manifolds were pulled due to missing manifold bolts and heavy leaking.(Car had sat stored outside for 3 years until I found it) I used gaskets and this is the results;
Driver side stayed true and no issues, passenger side showed some oozing of oil after @ 800 miles. Gave the bolt a well measured turn and the issue was fine. I traveled another 400 miles before putting it to sleep for the winter. Now when I wake it up next week I will give you an update. I do have to say the engine was very well maintained by the original owner. The previous owner supplied me with records showing the car had well over 30 oil changes in its 78K mile history and was tuned every year. The exhaust had been replaced @ 50K miles. The maint records also show radiator flush every year.( @#$$ did that mechanic see this couple coming a mile away.!!!)
I guess I could have done without the gaskets but for me so far so good. Maybe the great care the engine rec'd and the fact it most likely never ran over temp may have been to my advantage. If I see any issues when I wake it up I will write

 

I am very interested in hearing about how well it does after been sleeping for a while.

According to the 63 service manual there are a couple of items put on certain bolts and surfaces

1. Apply Graphite Grease Part no. 581823 to the sealing surfaces of the exhaust manifold center and end port flanges.

I guess that gaskets would cure this with a little exhaust putty-cement.

3. If manifold studs show signs of coolant leakage, remove the studs and apply C.P. No. 9 Sealer to the stud threads.

What the heck is C.P. No 9 sealer?

 

I use PERMATEX thread sealant/high temp on the studs and head bolts for my 63 394 in my 98s and have had no problems with leakage of oil or antifreeze.
I also use the exhaust gaskets between the heads and manifolds and have not had to retorque any of the bolts, one of the engines I redid in the mid 90s and it still runs fine with no exhaust leaks.
Steve

 

Oldskeeper-

Thanks for the response You wouldn't happen to have a extra front yoke laying around anywhere or know of where I could get one for my 63 Starfire???