Help: detect right exhaust manifold gasket

[MLeweling]

Hi guys

my name is Manfred from Germany owning a 68 Buick Skylark.
I have to replace the exhaust gasket cause it's leaking more and more.
But the engine isn't original and i haven't any docs (repair manual) about that one.

Maybe one of you could help me to find the right gaskets.

Hereby some more info about the engine:
Seems to be a 76 Buick 350ci block
Engine Code PT is stamped at the top
exhaust manifold has 4 bolts above and 3 bolts below
i could provide some photos in necessary

any idea?

Thanks in advance
Manfred

[MLeweling]

Is this the right one???
http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...iew/make/buick


regards
Manfred

[telriv]

Originally the engine came with NO gaskets between the heads & manifolds. It was a metal-metal contact/sealing surface. Replacing with regular exhaust gaskets usually ends up with the gaskets needing to be replaced again shortly. Been there, done that. Two options as far as I'm concerned. 1st. have the manifolds, & if the engine is apart, have the exhaust side of the heads re-surfaced. 2nd. ONLY buy the Rem Flex exhaust gaskets. They are rather costly, but having to do it ONLY ONCE makes up for it. For the next couple weeks soak the manifold bolts with a rust penetrate with the engine cold & hot. Doing this the possibilities of the retaining bolts to be removed WITHOUT BREAKING is better.
Just my thoughts on the subject.


Tom T.

[MLeweling]

Hi Tom,

many thanks for your assistance. I'm really surprised that there aren't gaskets installed originally.
I did some research for the RemFlex gaskets (you mean that one http://catalog.remflex.com/BUICK_Hea...t_p/13-005.htm right!?).
Looks really good.

Yes started to soak the bolts (WD40 right?) few days ago.
Hopefully bolts will not break. Plan to replace the bolts with new ones too.

thanks and bye
Manfred

[telriv]

Manfred, Buick DID NOT use gaskets starting with the 1st. V8 "NailHead" in '53. This continued on ALL Buick engines until the end of the 455 in '76 & the 350 in 1980.
Although the material looks to be different in the pictures I'm sure it IS the correct gaskets. I have told so many people with a Buick that I should have stock in the company. Other than the additional cost NO ONE has any complaints as far as I'm aware.


Tom T.

[exfarmer]

WD 40 is not the best penetrating oil to loosen up rusted bolts, it's more of a general light lube. Get a dedicated penetrating oil that will also disolve rust such as PB Blastor.

[suntreemcanic]

The old straight eight Buick shop manuals refer to a mixture of graphite/90 wt mixture between exhaust manifold and head. I had my exhaust manifold resurfaced. I made this mixture thick so it would stay on a vertical surface. I applied it with a a chemical brush. I did this a year ago and I have drove it almost 2,000 miles, no leaks yet. That would have been at least 3 Fel Pro gasket changes and a lot of embarrassment because they always go bad when your are on the road. I know I have a straight eight and you have a V-8 but I think the problem is similar with the gaskets moving around. The graphite is cheap, I bought a small bottle at the local Ace hardware store and just some 90wt that you probably already have. I recommend you try it.