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BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 | I have a vacuum leak on my manifold so I'm removing it to take a look. I believe it was a little warped when I installed it but thought the gasket would make up for it. I also didn't install alignment rings. I'm worried that if I split the manifold to install a new gasket I will break a bolt(s) & these things are hard to find. I would value anyone's recommendations.
1958 Chevy Grumman Olson step van
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | Make and year and size engine? | | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 | 1958 Chevy Grumman step van 1960 261.
1958 Chevy Grumman Olson step van
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | You might want to try this REMFLEX gasket. It is much thicker compared to the original gasket (beside being one-piece; and, being easier to install). I had a 54/55 GMC COE, and I understand your reticence in messing around with the manifold assembly. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | The machine shop where I ran the connecting rod reconditioning department for a few years had a BIG belt sander (like 18" wide and 48" long). We could even up the gasket surfaces on an inline intake/exhaust assembly on that one without unbolting the two pieces. Look around for an oldtime auto machine shop- - - -those sanders used to be very popular for surfacing cylinder heads, also.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | It's also almost impossible to install a manifold assembly without alignment rings and avoid a vacuum leak. If you don't have the OEM rings, a piece of exhaust tubing with a slot cut into it can be trimmed to the correct length so it fits the hole in the head or manifold correctly. The slot doesn't even have to be welded- - - -it just aligns the head and manifold- - - -the gasket is what does the sealing.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 | The rings helped. I was unable to get the front manifold bolt in, probably from being warped. Anything I can do to get the bolt in?
1958 Chevy Grumman Olson step van
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | The front and rear holes in the manifold didn't have bolts originally- - - -just an unthreaded stud sticking out of the head to align the ends. You might try enlarging the hole in the manifold a little with a die grinder or a rat tail file if you decide to bolt them instead.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 | Hard to believe how much better the engine runs. Thanks guys!
1958 Chevy Grumman Olson step van
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