The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1946 Chevy 1/2Ton - Intake/Exhaust Gasket

I'm trying to get my intake/exhaust put together, but having trouble finding the correct gasket. I ordered a gasket kit from O'Reilly that included the engine block gasket and the gasket that goes between the intake and exhaust. That gasket has the holes too far apart for the studs on the exhaust manifold. By looking at the pictures online, it looked like I had gasket 8597 because the holes were farther apart. So, I ordered gasket 8988, but when it showed up it was the same. So now I've ordered 8597 to see if the holes will fit my exhaust manifold. If not, I guess I can cut a slot in the holes to make it fit. Anyone else have this issue? I believe my exhaust manifold is for a 235.

The smaller bolt spacing is for a 216 intake/exhaust system. You've probably got a mixmaster- - - -216 manifolds on a 235 engine. There will also be an intake port size mismatch- - - -you'll need stepped-down alignment rings when you get around to bolting the manifolds to the engine.
Jerry

You may be able to check the casting numbers on the manifolds .

OK - I got some pictures. I do have the alignment rings for the intake manifold, but now I'm confused as to whether I should use a 216 setup on my 235? I thought I was using the 235 setup, but now I don't think that's the case.

You have a 62 235 for your truck. You really should use the later 55-62 intake and exhaust set up.

So I'm puzzled now. I have some picture attached to show why I think I am using the 235 intake/exhaust. When I was taking my truck apart years ago, the 216 engine had the exhaust manifold pointed straight down. Therefore I thought the exhaust manifold that angled to the rear was the 235 manifold. The 216 has the wider stud pattern to hold the gasket and the narrow stud pattern to hold the carburetor. Or at least that's my thinking.

Update: Reading Mike's comment again and is there a couple 235 intake/exhausts? Early and later?

The casting number of 3835587 fits all 6 cylinders except 216 engines from 50-57 (and probably later, as I was looking in the 1929-57 parts catalog.) That's the one you should probably be using. I know that 1951 exhaust outlets are sloped rearward like yours is. I also have a 1958 235 manifold set that has a sloped exhaust outlet. I can't come up with a reference to the casting number on your straight outlet manifold you said came from your 1946 216.

I have a '41 manifold set from a 216 that has the straight exhaust outlet and the wider manifold connecting bolts. I also have my 1951 216 manifold set that has an angled exhaust. That's not a huge issue that can be taken care of at the exhaust pipe. Both the '41 and '51 216 manifold sets have a spacing of 2-3/4" where they connect together. You won't be able to match a 235 exhaust manifold to a 216 intake manifold as the spacing on a 235 has a spacing of 2". There's also a difference between the '41 and '51 outer mounting studs to the engine. The '51 has a lug where the spreader contacts the manifold that's farther from the block. See attached pics for the difference.
Also if you use a 235 manifold, you'll need a carburetor that matches the wider bolt spacing on the carb flange.

John - The exhaust manifold with casting# "839130" is an early one for ALL 1940-46 Chevrolets except COE models per my 1929-46 Chevrolet Master Parts Price List. The correct casting number for a matching intake manifold is "3835150". Again, fits ALL 1940-46 Chevrolets except COE models.

Your pictured angled back exhaust manifold definitely looks correct for your 1960 235. Do you not have an intake that came from the 235?

Yes - I have the intake for this setup. It has the wider studs for the 235 carburetor. I was just having issues finding the correct gasket.

Kevin - My 1946 setup looked like your first picture where there was a thick washer and shorter bolt. The setup I'm planning to use now is similar to your second picture where I would use a longer bolt with a manifold clip or cup (not sure what you call it).

The FL-8988 should be the correct one for your 1960 manifold gasket. Maybe the one you got was mis-packaged.

I thought maybe it was mispackage too, but when I bought it off eBay I got a message asking to verify the year and engine. The guy told me I ordered the correct gasket and he would send it. It came in a bag marked "8988", but the holes were too wide apart. A different gasket (8597) is supposed to show up tomorrow and I'm hoping it's the right one. It's just been frustrating, but I still enjoy the work on the truck.

While I'm waiting for my gasket to show up today, any thoughts on which way the gasket goes on? Shiny side up towards the carb or shiny side down to reflect the heat from the exhaust manifold? Or, it doesn't matter and I can put it on either way.

I just dealt with this on a Continental Mark III.

Perforated metal side goes toward the manifold. Smooth side goes toward the head.

From the tri fi site ,

He's talking about the intake to exhaust manifold gasket, not to the head, but I'd say the same principle applies. Smooth side toward the coldest part. That would be the intake manifold. But as long as it seals, it probably really doesn't matter.

Right. Duh...

I didn't even think about that. Not used to thinking about the two manifolds being locked together.

I used the '46 216 manifolds on my '54 235. Reason was I still have the factory splash aprons and need the center downtube. Been working fine since 1986, when I did the engine.

Sorry for the confusion guys. I posted the pic of the gasket I was talking about. But, I did enjoy that no one was talking about that small gasket between the intake and exhaust manifold. I'm planning to put the shiny side down pointed to the exhaust side. Frustrating note - my gasket did not show up today. Not happy at all.

Kevin, I'm betting they packaged the first gasket incorrectly. I just had an 8988 gasket show up today and it is the correct gasket with holes closer together. I'm contacting the seller of the other gasket to get a refund or send me the correct gasket. I don't mind having a spare.

Finally got the intake/exhaust done! Thanks for everyone's help. That was a frustrating couple weeks.

Hi Mike. What changed in '55 that's different from let's say the '50-'54 engines?

Hey Mike - I have three intake manifolds. One that was on my '46 216. And I had two 235 engines. I found this other intake in my storage shed. This one has a tab on the front part of the intake and the vacuum port points straight out. The one I currently have mounted has no tab and the vacuum port points a little to the rear. Do you have a casting number that would be for a 1960 235? I believe one of these came off the 1960 235, but I'm not sure which one.

John - My resource info shows the following for your two pictured intake manifolds. They both are listed under the same GM PN: 3835587.

Casting# 3835590 (w/tab) 1948-56 235

Casting# 3754844 (no tab) 1958-62 235

Thanks Dan! Looks like I’m using the intake that came with the 1960 engine. At one point I had an earlier 235 engine, but it is gone now.