exaust manifold gasket

[roger01]

is changing the passenger side gasket a big deall or is it pretty straight forward ?  also does the manifold have to come right off the studs or will the gasket slide on from the top...thanks ....its a 440 and havent bought the gasket yet.... any recomendations

[RD]

you will have to pull the exhaust manifold away from the studs in order to put the gasket on.  They do not just fall on like the sbchebbie manifold gaskets.  Use the copper silicone for extra sealing.  Make sure you clean off the exhaust port and manifold mating surfaces really well.

[694spdRT]

is changing the passenger side gasket a big deall or is it pretty straight forward ?  also does the manifold have to come right off the studs or will the gasket slide on from the top...thanks ....its a 440 and havent bought the gasket yet.... any recomendations

All the gaskets I have seen require the manifold to be removed from the studs to get it on. It can be easy or a royal pain if a stud snaps off or nut strips off.  Once off I would clean the surfaces well on both the head and manifolds to get a good seal anyway.

I have heard that using High Temp silicone and no gasket is the best approach. Unfortunately, my exhaust manifolds are heavily ported to match my heads and the sealing surface is very thin on the upper and lower portion of each port. The silicone has not held so I have to remove mine again this winter and install gaskets I guess.

[Shakey]

I have been told that with headers, a gasket is used always, however with manifolds, you may not need a gasket. 

[694spdRT]

The manifolds did not come with gaskets originally.  Headers(esp. the old ones I once used) would never seal without a gasket. 

[Chryco Psycho]

i never use a gasket with the factory manifolds just a thin layer of ultra copper silicone 

[cudaken]

 Guess I am just lucky but I use gaskets and no sealent on them with either headers or HP manafolids. No leaks with good headers (Hookers) or stock HP. Dont use on intake gaskets either and no vacuum leaks.

Not say they are wrong at all, just telling you what I have done.

                                          Cuda Ken