2F Manifold Leaks. MANY THANKS!

[Iron_Pig]

I've posted ALOT in vain efforts to stop a continuos leaking intake / exhaust manifold leak on my Man-a-Fre 6 into 1 header and stock '76 manifold (on my '78 engine).
The leak persists even now. 2 Victor-Heinz (Napa) and 1 Felpro # MS22813 gaskets later. I've had the intake/exhaust planed together ($60). I've had the header flange milled with insets to match the intake's ($20). Everything I did got things a LITTLE better each time.
Studying particular posts from Crossbones regarding using an older model gasket and suggestions from IDave , Offcamber40 , and FsuSteve helped ALOT!
So here's my NEXT strategy, after calling Man-a-Fre Tech-Line. As Crossbones previously suggested and the Tech. Robert confirmed, I ordered THE OLDER MODEL GASKET # 17172-60031 from Man-a-Fre. Tech. Robert confirmed this is the gasket suggested for a Man-a-Fre header. It's just over $9.
Secondly, I will make one more trip to the shop and have beads welded arounded the exhaust ports. This will replace some of the needed flange that was ground off at least one of the ports while evening the surfaces. I will then have those beads sanded smooth. The Tech said this will get the header to BITE back into the gasket, helping to eliminate a leak.
So now I have a plan. Boys, I am getting GOOD at replacing manifold gaskets!

 

[IDave]

Whew. Thanks for the update. It all has to come together somehow!

 

[Pinion]

So you are using the old (F?) gasket and a 2F one?

What does everyone use to keep the two together? The copper RTV, or nothing? Im asking because I will be re installing my 2F into my 72 in a few weeks.

I mocked the two together on the head without any gaskets and lightly tightened them to see how close they were in line against the straight head and there was just a little warpage in the center two pipes. I'd say there was not even a fingernail's thickness in the gap.

 

[Iron_Pig]

Pinion, I will be using ONE of the old-style gaskets. It doesn't have the bolts holes on each end as the original does so I may hold it in place with the copper Perma-tex. I'll let you guys know how everything works.

 

[fsusteve]

Way to see it thru, good job.

 

[Pinion]

Thank you.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

Another thing that helps a lot which I have done on my 79 is swapping out some of the bolts for studs. I did this on almost all of the holes. I've also found that using a bit of copper rtv helps a bit too. I run a downey header, and with the napa gasket and studs, with a bit of copper rtv, and torqing it down 10 ft lbs tighter than it's supposed to be, it doesn't leak. At the head anyway. Collector gaskets still require constant changing it seems. I'm going to try one of the aluminum ones next.