The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Installing Fenton exhaust manifold

You're right about needing 7 hands! I just swapped gaskets last weekend.....a one piece gasket would make it easier. However, I've had luck by replacing the end studs with 3/8" bolts. I insert the center four shorter manifold bolts with clips and add the centering ring to the rear intake port. This holds the gasket in place while you slip the rear Fenton into place and in the rear hole (where you removed the stud) use a 3/8" bolt with a 1/4" spacer, which holds it out from the manifold, so you can get a universal 9/16" socket onto it. When you snug it up the header isn't going to go anyplace. Repeat on the front half of the Fentons. With the front and rear exhaust manifolds in place you just pop in the center intake ring and slide in the intake...minus the carbs. I'm running a dual setup and the linkage inhibits tightening the bolts. On a single carb you might have room without removing the carb.

After you get everything in loose, you'll need to reposition the gaskets from the underside of the intake/exhaust. They have a tendency to drop down and will leak if you don't push them up into position. I then add the 2 longer bolts and clips to hold everything in place. I hand tighten all the bolts down really tight...including the front and rear bolts that replace the studs. I've heard folks say not to use the bolts in the end holes but I've used them with no adverse effects. Both end bolts will need a little 1/4" spacer so you can get a box end wrench on the front and a universal 9/16" socket on the rear head.

After 500 miles I retighten all the bolts as the WILL loosen up. After you've done it a couple times it gets a little easier...but by no means is it easy. Just make sure that you spend time getting the head and manifolds thoroughly scraped down and cleaned with solvents and that you torque the bolts down as evenly as possible.

Dave