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Old 03-27-2015, 05:10 PM   #1
jg61hawk
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Default Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

When I bought this 29 A in Sept. 2014 the owner gave me a one piece exhaust manifold gasket (the cheap one with steel on one side). I installed that but still had a leak you could hear. I bought the expensive one from Bratton's (two piece copper) and installed that today. I still have small leak and can already see black on the cooper at the left rear.

My question s are: Can I or should I attempt to double the gaskets?
Can I use that cooper high heat sealant they sell? If so can I re-use the gasket I just put in?
What would you do?
......I can leave it alone too!

I suspect the manifold is pitted as the area I can clearly see is very pitted.

Thanks. Jim

Last edited by jg61hawk; 03-27-2015 at 05:15 PM.
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Old 03-27-2015, 05:16 PM   #2
Mitch//pa
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Default Re: Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

exhaust manifolds warp and droop over time especially around #4...
buy a new one and have it planed to match the intake.

if both the intake and exhaust manifolds are replaced they dont need to get planed

Last edited by Mitch//pa; 03-27-2015 at 05:23 PM.
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Old 03-27-2015, 05:20 PM   #3
d.
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Default Re: Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

this sounds like a good case for surfacing the intake and exhaust manifold (bolted together as 1 unit) to achieve a flat surface. Multiple gaskets will not get you where you want to go to eliminate the leaks, do it right.
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Old 03-27-2015, 05:47 PM   #4
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Default Re: Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

I've had the "elusive crack" give a similar indication. NOTHING I did to the manifold would solve the exhaust leak. New gaskets, doubling up, BETTER gaskets. All FAIL.

I dribbled engine oil ALL over the exhaust manifold. Voila - like a soap test - bubbles.

The cracks were multitudinous and general. When the manifold was removed from the car and struck with a hammer, it fell easily into several pieces.

One doesn't usually see oil "bubble." Hot must help.

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Old 03-27-2015, 06:03 PM   #5
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Default Re: Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

Unfortunately, I agree with Mitch. Sounds like it is time for a new exhaust manifold.

I had to replace my muffler and was having trouble getting it attached to my exhaust manifold correctly. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the problem wasn't my new muffler, it was my manifold. It had drooped well over an inch around #4. I replaced both manifolds at the same time and haven't had any trouble since.
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Old 03-27-2015, 07:02 PM   #6
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Default Re: Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

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isn't there rings that go in the exhaust manifold to stop leaks, I had set on my engine ford obsolete in calif lists them, $3.00 a set
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Old 03-27-2015, 07:58 PM   #7
glenn in camino
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Default Re: Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

I always use the paste muffler sealer (be careful, it's messy), and a interior tube between the manifold and the exhaust pipe. No leaks.
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Old 03-28-2015, 07:35 AM   #8
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Default Re: Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

Quote:
Originally Posted by WestCoast View Post
isn't there rings that go in the exhaust manifold to stop leaks, I had set on my engine ford obsolete in calif lists them, $3.00 a set

Yes there were rings. First install the intake and exhaust assembly with the rings and no gasket. Don't bolt it on just put it up against the block to make sure it mates flat with the block while the rings are installed. You check this because the block and exhaust manifold may have been resurfaced which makes the rings too thick and you can crack your exhaust manifold if they are. If it mates flush with rings and no gasket then you can reinstall with gasket. If the rings are too thick file them first.
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Old 03-28-2015, 08:18 AM   #9
Joe K
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Default Re: Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

Quote:
Yes there were rings.
Engines started out being counterbored at ALL ports for rings. This ended somewhere around engine A891720->A913621 range when counterboring of the block was stopped on all ports.

Then, a little before engine A1213500 counterboring was begun again - but only for the exhaust ports - and engines were done like this until the end of production.

So there is a chance you might have an engine with NO counterbores.

See this and more block changes at Steve Plucker's seminal work "Changes to the Model A Engine Block" at http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/engine...ESCRIPTION.pdf

Thanks Steve. Lot of work in that.

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Old 03-28-2015, 11:23 PM   #10
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

if it has been leaking for a while, the manifold with have damage on its face. inspect the block and manifold for smoothness and have milled as required.
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Old 03-29-2015, 08:59 AM   #11
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Default Re: Persistent Exhaust Leak - Help

Mine had a good amount of leak also. However I also had a hole cut for a heater port in the firewall. It is cold a good part of the time here so decided to put a good meaning no drooping on #4, waffle style manifold on. Problem solved no leak and now I have heat when I need it.
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