Exhaust manifold fit?

[danowens3]

Hi,

I am looking at changing from headers back to exhaust manifolds as I just can not get the headers to quit leaking exhaust from the gasket, even trying to switch to a copper gasket...

A buddy of mine has a set of exhaust manifolds from a 1966 Thunderbird 390. Do you know if those will fit a 1960 Thunderbird with a 352? Also, any ideas on what they should sell for?

Thank you,

Dan
1960 Thunderbird Hardtop

[Guest]

Hey Dan,
The 352 and the 390 are the same blocks! Unless someone has used different heads on her they will fit!
When you get the headers out take a framing square (straight edge) and see if the headers are flat all the way across. They must be plan to fit up against the heads!
Wanta sell them?
Now on Christine I had the right bank leaking when I got her. I talk to a old friend of mine and he told me about the square. He also said to check the heads and make sure they were true. I got the gaskets and got the bolts out and done as he said. I got new bolts and put everything back together. He also told me to run her and get her hot then tighten them down again (after cool down). I done this several times and its been over a year and have not had any leak yet.
The left bank is metal against metal, there never was a gasket in it from the factory! The bolt locks are still on the left bank!
Richard D. Hord

[Anders]

What´s a " left bank"?

[Guest]

Hey Anders,
You have a right bank (exhaust manifold) and a left bank (exhaust manifold) Bank; reserve, accumulation, pool, deposit, reservoir, depository of exhaust gasses!
Richard D. Hord

[tbird430]

Bank = side of an engine.

Picture an engine block cut right down the center in half (front to rear).

[Guest]

Hey Jon,
Thanks for the better explanation!
Richard D. Hord

[tbird430]

"Team THUNDERBIRD".

For the win!!!

[byersmtrco]

Left bank = drivers side

Right bank = pass side

390 exh manifs exit at a diff angle
than 1960 TB (only) 352 manifs. Since you are re fabricating
exh pipes up to it, it won't matter.

It's too bad the Ford cast iron headers won't work on a Sq/Bird.

[Anders]

The left bank is metal against metal, there never was a gasket in it from the factory! The bolt locks are still on the left bank!
Richard D. Hord

No gaskets?
I thought it was gaskets all over the place where there is two pieces of metal each to eachother.

[Guest]

Hey Anders,
Dave (simplyconnected) will probably be able to answer this better than I.
No, there were some of these old cars that the exhaust manifolds were bolted directly to the heads! Metal against metal! Dave should be able to tell you when they done it!
Richard D. Hord

[simplyconnected]

It's true. Millions of exhaust manifolds were assembled with no gasket. Only after they are old and warped, do they need a gasket.

If you ever have your engine rebuilt, you should have ALL mating surfaces 'skinned' to true and square them with eachother, including your exhaust manifolds. Afterwards, you should not need an exhaust gasket. After all, when the surfaces mate tightly, the exhaust is open to atmosphere and it should not leak.

Aftermarket gasket companies include thick exhaust manifold gaskets for castings that don't mate. I don't like them because it's too easy to crack an ear off the manifold from overtightening.

[Guest]

That's my buddy Dave and he is the man!!!
Richard D. Hord

[Guest]

Could be wrong ...

What´s a " left bank"?

but I believe that's an area in Paris. Ditto on machined surfaces, FE sop. Mike