Are you using exhaust manifold gaskets on your 440? UPDATE!!

[1969chargerrtse]

I'm heading out to the garage to lift my engine up and un bolt the exhaust manifolds AGAIN to see if they are warped, and have them machined flat.  My buddy John says he never uses gaskets and has no leaks, how about anyone else?

[b5blue]

New they had none, I used copper ones in the past that worked well, just needed re-tightening for awhile. (I had heads that had been port matched for headers and lost surface area for HP manifolds to seal) I would try the copper first.

[TylerCharger69]

From the factory.....no gaskets were used i don't believe....But....reassembly?...Yes...use gaskets

[tan top]

true  no gaskets from the factory     been using felpro gaskets  , from their engine tear down kit    on original manifolds  & on the Yr1 repops , no probs

[Sublime/Sixpack]

I've never used gaskets on the big block exhaust manifolds, and have never had problems. 

[70charginglizard]

I use those graphite ones. Never seem to have any problems when I use them. 

[Nacho-RT74]

no gaskets on mine ( 400 but same ). just a light High temp RTV coat

[Chatt69chgr]

What about when you are using aluminum heads and repop cast iron exhaust manifolds?  What is the recommended gasket for this configuration?

[Nacho-RT74]

I would say the same, no need for them... gasket needed just on headers.

[1969chargerrtse]

So even though gaskets only last me a year, you guys think I would be better off with none, or none with red RTV?
I was gonna go thin copper with the red RTV.  I'm also gonna use the RTV on my exhaust threads because I have tried 3 types and they still bleed antifreeze

[billssuperbird]

i use gaskets. no leaks

[68r/t]

So even though gaskets only last me a year, you guys think I would be better off with none, or none with red RTV?
I was gonna go thin copper with the red RTV.  I'm also gonna use the RTV on my exhaust threads because I have tried 3 types and they still bleed antifreeze

Use the GM  sealer on the exhaust studs as it was made for sealing the head bolts on GM motors as they are exposed to the water jackets.

[maxwellwedge]

I've never used gaskets on the big block exhaust manifolds, and have never had problems. 

Same here. If you do got the manifolds surfaced spend the extra money on milling. The shops that belt sand them make them worse!

[1969chargerrtse]

I did a quick hand sand and laid a straight edge down and they seemed fine?  I'm gonna try the copper gaskets with the high temp RTV stuff.  I hope this is it. Got some great tips from Ron on another thread.  Thanks for the replies.

[1969chargerrtse]

So even though gaskets only last me a year, you guys think I would be better off with none, or none with red RTV?
I was gonna go thin copper with the red RTV.  I'm also gonna use the RTV on my exhaust threads because I have tried 3 types and they still bleed antifreeze

Use the GM  sealer on the exhaust studs as it was made for sealing the head bolts on GM motors as they are exposed to the water jackets.

Any exact name?  Get it at a dealer?

[62 Max]

So even though gaskets only last me a year, you guys think I would be better off with none, or none with red RTV?
I was gonna go thin copper with the red RTV.  I'm also gonna use the RTV on my exhaust threads because I have tried 3 types and they still bleed antifreeze

Get a tube of this,is seals everything.You can use it everywhere a sealer is required and it won't leak.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have never used gaskets on the exhaust manifolds , they just blow out , I just use a thin layer of Permatex Ultra Copper & bolt them up

[1969chargerrtse]

So even though gaskets only last me a year, you guys think I would be better off with none, or none with red RTV?
I was gonna go thin copper with the red RTV.  I'm also gonna use the RTV on my exhaust threads because I have tried 3 types and they still bleed antifreeze

Get a tube of this,is seals everything.You can use it everywhere a sealer is required and it won't leak.

I just don't get how any silicone sealer can take the heat and pressure?   Help me here.

[Nacho-RT74]

So even though gaskets only last me a year, you guys think I would be better off with none, or none with red RTV?
I was gonna go thin copper with the red RTV.  I'm also gonna use the RTV on my exhaust threads because I have tried 3 types and they still bleed antifreeze

Get a tube of this,is seals everything.You can use it everywhere a sealer is required and it won't leak.

I just don't get how any silicone sealer can take the heat and pressure?   Help me here.

as I can see, the RTV will just fill out some small irregularity on metal surface. No matter if burn or not, the RTV will keep filled those irregularities. Those irregularities are not more than some pourous ( sp ? )

now diff stuff is you have a dent on surfaces or if manifold is bended. In that case you should resurface them.

I don't think you'll find some way to have a leak with flat surfaces metal to metal and propperly tighted up.

maybe not with a good gasket, but with a regular one you have a weak material there that will make a gap between both IRON pieces, then the leak chance.

Metal to metal there is not a gap chance

There is not a Mopar PN for stock manifold gasket because they simply weren't used from factory.

[resq302]

I used what Ron suggested when I did my cast iron hp exhaust manifolds, I cut down the exhaust gaskets so they were the exact size of the port so you couldn't tell that it had a gasket and then lightly smeared Ultra Copper gasket silicon on there.  So far so good with no blow outs.

[1969chargerrtse]

Well, I did it.  I went with manifolds only for the first time ever.  I did use high temp sealer and snugged them down as Ron advised.  I hope it's quiet.  If it's quiet metal to metal, I should be good.  Lets hope.

[kw mopar]

I just got my new manifolds for my hemi install, they are the bare cast. I do not want to paint them the orange over spray as original. Is there  a clear coat or coating of some kind I could put on them to slow down the rusting. Would High heat spray bomb clear coat be any good. Rob.

[1969chargerrtse]

I just got my new manifolds for my hemi install, they are the bare cast. I do not want to paint them the orange over spray as original. Is there a clear coat or coating of some kind I could put on them to slow down the rusting. Would High heat spray bomb clear coat be any good. Rob.

Me? I used Eastwoods Cast Iron high temp paint that comes in a can.  You brush it on and it last a long time.  If you need to do a quick touch up fix you can just brush it on while the manifolds are on the car.
You can see the manifolds in the video I just posted.   They are 2 years old and have been touched a lot.

[1969chargerrtse]

Well I did it.  I tightened up the manifolds after a night of being snug with high temp sealer and let er rip. The car sounds great.  I guess the advise of no gaskets worked. Who would think? All these times of unbolting the engine, dropping the H pipe, lifting the block up with a jack by the lip of the oil pan and installing new gaskets twice, was not the way to go? When all else fails, do it the way the factory did. Thanks for all your advise Ron and you all. I would think this is it.  What can wear out or blow out?  Metal to metal should last forever.