Manifold Gasket ???

[Roadster Rich]

Still slowly reassembling the Town Sedan engine. The manifold that was on it had about 3/16 sag and I could see where it had blown out the gasket at the rear. I have a new manifold (both exhaust and intake) and gland rings. I have used copper gaskets in the past, but the new copper ones I have will not clear the gland ring, they are smaller diameter, probably the diameter of the block exit without the gland ring machining. I do have a couple sets of the asbestos (?) type. Any suggestions from those smarter than I? Use the gland rings and asbestos type or don't use gland rings and use the copper?

[Mitch]

i would use the gland rings with the copper gasket.. i have not run into the issue of the gasket port holes being to small. to me it sounds like your gasket is not correct.
maybe someone else has info on why???
i do like to use the later style copper that slides down over the studs without pulling the manifolds all the way off.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Still slowly reassembling the Town Sedan engine. The manifold that was on it had about 3/16 sag and I could see where it had blown out the gasket at the rear. I have a new manifold (both exhaust and intake) and gland rings. I have used copper gaskets in the past, but the new copper ones I have will not clear the gland ring, they are smaller diameter, probably the diameter of the block exit without the gland ring machining. I do have a couple sets of the asbestos (?) type. Any suggestions from those smarter than I? Use the gland rings and asbestos type or don't use gland rings and use the copper?

I use the layered copper, with a very small bead of high temp exhaust sealant around the ports. Has never failed. The BLACK dimpled "asbestos" ones, blow out quickly, like, POOOF!!
I don't know where I got them, but I have a set made of regular, BRAND X gasket material, what a JOKE!!!!
Bill Quiet

[tbirdtbird]

have never found a need for the gland rings; and always use the copper gasket

[Ray Horton]

I agree with tbird.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I like to use the gland rings and copper gasket.
I'd try to get the correct copper gasket to fit over the rings.
The rings give a smoother flow and keep much of the heat off the edge of the gasket.

[Mitch]

I like to use the gland rings and copper gasket.
I'd try to get the correct copper gasket to fit over the rings.
The rings give a smoother flow and keep much of the heat off the edge of the gasket.

Toms right on with a better explanation of why. Without the rings in place the play in the alignment of the ports and gasket (wiggle / play over the studs) is enough to cause issues as stated. They also help prevent manifold droop

[BNCHIEF]

I was going to say the same exact thing Mitch I also have some exhaust pipe hangers heavy rubber i thought about try to use to give the muffler some support as well.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Speaking of manifold warp, here's one I can't explain. In the late 70's I did an engine overhaul on a big block Chevy for a customer. I never remove manifolds or heads until the engine reaches room temperature, and the manifolds felt like a perfect fit when I removed them. A few days later, when I went to reinstall them, I had to heat the bottom side to make them fit, otherwise there was no way they were going back on. I just can't figure how that happened while they sat on the work table for a few days.

[Mitch]

I've been bit by those un explainable ghosts many times

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Remember those EARLY G.M, double wall headpipes? The inner wall would get RED hot, collapse & the tailpipe would go---PSSSSST! & NO POWER.
"Maybe" the work of the GHOST??? He wuz a TROUBLEMAKER!
Dad

[Roadster Rich]

I took a ride and got copper gaskets from Mikes that will fit with the gland rings. All set now and moving on with the reassembly.