1939 Buick Exhaust Manifold Gap

[JRHaelig]

I've been messing with old cars long enough to knowthat things are rarely as bad as they seem.   They're usually worse.

 

On my 1939 Buick straight 8 I've had an exhaust leak at the last cylinder since I got the car started.  Not the end of the world, but I figured let's put a new gasket in and fix it.

 

Well, my old pal "root cause" showed up.  Some how the back end of the manifold is way off - like a pregnant 1/16".  Little wonder that the gasket gave up.

 

That last manifold bolt hole had wallowed out, so I re-tapped it at 7/16ths, and now I see this!

 

So - can the manifold set be dressed enough to fix this or do I just put it back together and wait for the new copper gasket to blow out?

 

[Matt Harwood]

Remflex gaskets. I use them on all my cars. Thicker than standard gaskets and mostly blow-proof, depending on the gap. I would try having the manifold machined (in conjunction with the intake so the surfaces are all even) but I don't know if they can fix all of that. It can't hurt.

 

http://catalog.remflex.com/BUICK_Header_Exhaust_Manifold_Gasket_p/13-007.htm

 

[C Carl]

JR' initiated this topic way down yonder in Buick - Pre War - Technical. Much more exposure here. BUT : please check there for a possible quick, cheap, and easy fix we have bounced around. Someone will know how to direct link to the topic, and most likely someone can give  a firsthand answer to our speculation.   -   CC 

[mike6024]