Exhaust gasket?

I heard that our cars didn't come with an exhaust gasket.

Would it hurt to put one in?

I say this because I pinned down the "loping idle" sound that I had worried about earlier.

It was an exhaust leak between the manifold and the head on the #1 cylinder.

Could I put an exhaust gasket on to seal it up? I got the felpro gasket that looks to be metal on one side and cork on the other.

If I only plan to run 18 psi tops (probably more like 16 or 17), would that be able to hold?

That would be a temporary fix from what i've heard. I don't recall any specific posts on the gasket isssue but it's my understanding that you are better off without it. I think the pressure and heat eat them up.

Since you will be taking it apart anyway, check the manifold for flatness and cracks. If cracked through it away. If it is flat clean it up and reinstall it. If it's not flat you can have it resurfaced or try the gasket. It may work ok.

Have you checked the bolt torque on the #1 cylinder manifold bolts. The recommendation, like Doug says, is not to use a gasket. It would be better to get the manifold milled flat if needed

In a typical street turbo system, the exhause back pressure can be as high as 1.5 to 2 times as high as boost pressure........ a gasket isnt going to hold up very long to 30 or so psi back pressure.

The E6's do warp. I brought mine to a machine shop and they milled a couple of thousanths off for a couple of $$. It's got a real tight seal now. Don't use a gasket and remember to put a small amount of anit-sieze lubricant on the bolts.

I have aVictor Reinz aluminized gaskd on mine, sofar no leaks and no problems, almost 400 miles on a new motor...

Duce

I think I read where someone used copper gasket sealer. I might try it on my ATR.

A few guys have had good luck with the copper RTV, but if you're removing the manifold anyway, its only about $30 to have it milled flat, which spares you the expense of possibly doing the job again later on down the road.

Like everyone else said, use anti-seize on the bolts when going back together. While its off, look into getting new exhaust grade bolts or studs, and run some PB blaster and a tap through the bolt holes. If your current bolts are in good shape (not usually), you can clean them up with a wire brush.

I have built many ford motors including several 2.3s a 351 w and a 460 with a few betwen and NEVER use exhaust manifold gaskets