Hello all,
I have a leaky exhaust manifold gasket on my 1973 delta 88 350 and I am getting ready to fix the problem and am considering going without gaskets as I have seen suggested multiple times on this site. My question is this: of those of you with engines capable of going without gaskets, how many of you have actually done it? results? How long were they leak free? Etc.

My engine was recently rebuilt and I had the surface of both the manifold and the engine trued and told the mechanic to install the manifold without gaskets, but he did anyway, saying "they came with the gasket kit so I put them on". Anyway, I would like go without gaskets this time, but am interested in everyone's experiences. Does it hold true as one poster mentioned "you can't have a exhaust manifold gasket leak if you don't have gaskets"?

Anyway, I am interested in anyone's input, suggestions, stories, annecdotes, etc.

Thanks,

 

I have done both and had better luck without gaskets. I'm in the habit of having the manifold face milled to assure it's flat, I've not done anything to the head where they mate up. I understood that the 1960's vintage ones came from the factory without gaskets. It could be your mechanic doesn't have a lot of experience with this issue on Oldsmobiles. John

 

I have the manifolds "planed", and I use SCE copper gaskets.

Works great.

 

I have had more luck without gaskets on a stock exhaust manifold.
Jim

 

Your car came from the factory without exhaust gaskets. In fact, the only 64-90 Olds motors to ever use exhaust gaskets from the factory were the 307s that used the tubular stainless steel manifolds.

 

Thanks Joe. I figured that was the case.
I guess I was just asking to get some real world application experience.

Thanks all for your input.

 

so i dont need ex man gaskets for my 77 350r?

 

Well, again:

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_padavano
Your car came from the factory without exhaust gaskets. In fact, the only 64-90 Olds motors to ever use exhaust gaskets from the factory were the 307s that used the tubular stainless steel manifolds.

Is it beating a dead horse for me to ask; when I install my manifolds without gaskets, do I need any sort of sealant?

 

Yup...

The factory did not use any sealers, gaskets, or any material at the exhaust manifolds to heads.

 

 

Thanks, Joe. Once again you have made an issue perfectly clear for me.

 

i like to be clear about things lol

the reason for reiteration is because the gasket kit i bought came with them, and the manifolds i have has some leftover gasket garbage on them (metal type)

 

All Olds gasket sets come with exhaust manifold gaskets. You can use them or not. The factory did not.

 

damn. do you have gaskets on any of your olds'? i just dont want to do one thing and wish i did the other...

 

Yeah - the ones with headers and the 86 with the 307 and crappy tubular manifolds.

 

wow did not know 60s Olds did not come with a gasket. I would feel scared to try that. Makes sense though.

 

The ONLY Olds V8s that used exhaust gaskets were the 1985-1990 roller-cam 307s with 7A heads. ALL other Olds V8s used metal-to-metal.

 

I have actually had better luck with only a light coat of RTV high-temp on my Sanderson's than I did with gaskets. They do have a quite thick flange, though.

 

i agree, this is mind blowing. would have never even considered doing that.

 

And even though they never came with them from the factory, Fel Pro still provides them in engine gasket kits. Go figure.

 

Yet another reason why everyone needs a Chassis Service Manual, which tells you exactly how the factory did things.