63 riv exhaust manafold gasket leak

[Guest Steeleco]

Anybody got advise on replacing the passenger side exhaust manafold gasket as I have a leak at the bottom of the exhaust port closest to the firewall? Any tricks tips or quick fix? Car has AC.

[Guest Rob J]

According to what Russ Martin says, there is no need to use gaskets from the exhaust manifolds to the head. They came from the factory with no gaskets installed.

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[60FlatTop]

I don't have any on my "60 Electra or the '64 Riviera. I had some store bought ones on the Riviera around 1994, threw them away.

Bernie

[JZRIV]

If you can see gaskets they don't belong there. If there are gaskets the manifold preferrably should be removed. There was a great post maybe a year or two ago over at V8Buick on this subject.

Depending how rusty your bolts are removing the manifold could become a small project. Fortunately on the nailhead the exhuast bolts go into blind holes in the head so typically come out easily vs the 430/455s. Its best to remove the manifold completely and have the sealing surface trued at a machine shop or you if you feel comfortable you can do it by hand with the proper size and type file. Basically all you're doing is cleaning up the surface, removing imperfections and insuring they are all on the same plane. You can lay a straight edge across it to see how true or untrue it is. If you do one side you may as well do the other and then you'll be good to go for a long time.

[Guest Steeleco]

This sounds like great info. Do you think I may be able to seal the leak just by loosening and re-tightening a few bolts around the area of the noisy cylinder?

Thanks