83 F-150 I-6 exhaust

[BADUKE]

replacing exhaust manifold gasket would like any tips or tricks

[Torch]

Once you get the exhaust manifold off scrape all the old gasket material off then go over it with a wire wheel in a drill, then install the new gaskets.

[BADUKE]

thank thats just about what i had planned

[Torch]

At this point in time your truck is 24 years old, while you have the manifold off check out the mounting studs and make sure the threads are still good, and check the threads in the nuts too, if they look bad have the studs and nuts replaced.

[unclebubbles]

The inline 6 uses a combination gasket , the exhaust and intake gaskets are mated together. The intake and exhaust manifolds are also held in place with studs and semi-cone shaped washers that share a stud. In other words, the studs go between a corner of the intake and the exhaust manifolds, and a washer clamps one corner of each manifold. The washers are bad about rusting away/heat erosion where they clamp down on the corner of the exhaust manifold. This causes the exhaust gasket to blow or leak sometimes , when it rusts away, its no longer tight enuff. Check your washers and replace if theyre bad, or you may wind up blowing another gasket or have leaks. It can also cause leaks on the intake side, they may feel like theyre tight and not be. You can get by sometimes by grinding them back flat. And as Torch said, check your studs and nuts too.