Now, after your last post: in order to eliminate leaks, you should take the manifolds apart.

You could leave the exhaust manifold on the exhaust pipe, if you do not have to have the joined manifolds planed in order to sit flat against the head.

Tim
1954Advance-Design.com
1954 3106 Carryall Suburban
1954 3104 5-window pickup w/Hydra-Matic
The 216 and early 235 engines are not "splash oilers" -- this is a splash oiler.