Exhaust Manifold leaks

[groovin1]

What's shakin?
I have a '65 bird that was given to me by my then girlfriend, now wife's father. The car had sat for around 4-5 years. After some amazingly simple rebuilds (carb, gas tank and starter) the car now runs!
The one and only problem is that the exhaust manifold leaks considerably where it meets the engine block. The old gaskets had almost completely disentigrated. I removed what was left and replaced w/ new gaskets but the leak is still present. Is it common for the manifold or the engine block (please no!) to warp over time? There was a pair of really old and rusted exhaust manifolds in the trunk of the car which leads me to believe that they have been replaced.

Any help would be appreciated.

Eric

[Joe Vandatta]

If you are using the original heat shield type (metal) everything has to be perfect.I have had the same problem and used two asbestos type and solved the problem.
Joe

[t-bird-art]

Two gaskets are good. Been there and did that. Also, shave the machined surface of the exhaust manifold to remove any corrosion pits and get 100% flat surface. Any exhaust blow by the gasket will burn a groove in the manifold.

[groovin1]

Thanks for the prompt reply guys.

The double-gasket trick sounds easy enough, although it was a real pain in the back-side to get those manifolds off the first time. Maybe a project for this fall.

Thanks again,

Eric

[my66cruiser]

Hi Groovin1,

Any advice on removing the passenger side exhaust manifold? My manifold not only has the leaks between the manifold and the head that you have, but I am fortunate enough to also have a crack or two in mine. Thanks.

[mpschan]

Besides replacing the gaskets, you can have the manifold put on a grinder to have them make a better seal. I'm told that the mid-sixties Lincolns and T-birds had a weakness with the manifolds. A skilled mechanic could grind them, your engine block is probably fine. Michael

[my66cruiser]

hi michael, thanks for your advice. I have heard something about these manifolds having problems. I wonder if problems were caused by the heat riser valve on the passenger side getting stuck in the closed position, if this is even possible.