was talking to a buddy of mine and he said he doesnt remember having any gaskets on his stock manifolds?

so now im wondering if the stock manifolds on these cars use gaskets? (305 TBI)

Can anyone confirm on this?
I usually always run headers but cant remember anything about stock manifolds

 

no, stock does not

 

really?? The first time I pulled an engine from my firebird, I thought p.o. had just been a 'tard and not put 'em on lol . Well waddaya know 'bout that.

 

There are gaskets for sale for stock manifolds. Is it worth putting gaskets on?

 

lol news to me too, thanks gregg

 

the first ones I saw in the dealer with exhaust manifold gaskets were the LT1 -- was that 93??? I think...

the 97k mile virgin 305 I just took apart had no gaskets

 

I've also seen stock exhaust manifolds without gaskets. GM probably did this on a lot of there vehicles and saved money in the process. I would use gaskets if your take everything apart and putting it back together. I'd say the manifolds sealing surface will deteriorate and warp over time from the exhaust process itself, plus expansion and contraction from the heat. In the end, its probably just fine to use them with out gaskets if the sealing surfaces are ok.

 

2 freshly machined surfaces like that don't really need gaskets, esp the exhaust which won't leak oil or water. It may leak a little air in or exhaust out but will quickly be covered in carbon.

I think someplace around the 93-97 cars GM started with the steel shim manifold gaskets.

Those stupid cheapy replacement rebuilder type paper/steel gaskets are junk and should never be used because they last about 3 blocks before they blow out.

 

Mine had them, no idea if they were there from the factory or not, probably not apparently.

 

Nope; not factory; these motors came with no gaskets. Most motors over the years have been like that.

Machine em flat (or just file em if they're not too bad), and they'll seal MUCH better for a lot longer than any gasket possibly can.

 

When I pulled my manifolds there were no gaskets. But there was also carbon stains around the exhaust ports - like they were leaking in some spots. I am putting a set of gaskets on it.

 

Yeah - that is the one drawback to the gasket - just something else that can blow out and cause a leak.