I recently replaced the manifold gaskets on my '56 235 and am currently trying to start the engine. It runs very rough and backfires through the carb. It also has an exhaust leak. I will be going through the usual timing checks to see if that's the problem with the rough running condition but I was wondering if maybe I did something wrong when I installed the manifolds. I don't believe the exhaust leak is coming from the pipe-to-manifold connection. That is on straight and torqued down good and tight. I had trouble getting the gaskets on and lined up and it was slightly misaligned at one spot so that it was very tough to get the bolt to go through the hole in the gasket. I'm wondering if maybe I don't have both an exhaust AND an intake leak at the manifolds. I found it to be a big pain in the neck getting the gaskets on and lined up. I used a tiny amount of Permatex and hung them on the alignment studs where possible. What technique is generally used here and has anyone else experienced this problem? By the way, the exhaust leak sounds like it's coming from somewhere near the exhaust pipe but a little further back, like around cylinders 4 and 5.
Last edited by joeflanagan; 11/15/2011 6:22 PM.
