79 integrated exhaust manifold gasket replacement

[demian5]

Anyone have any experience replacing one of these? Its a single BBL carb. The motor is installed in a 1969 though so I think we will make a block-off plate for the passages under the carb while we have it off.

Plan is to soak bolts with PB blaster for a week or so and try and break free while engine is on a cooling cycle after being driven.

Any insight as to what to expect, is awesome (remove this, plan on replacing that, your screwed if xxxxxx happens...)

[demian5]

So this is telling me that nobody has EVER had a problem with an exhaust leak on a 6 cyl with the integrated exhaust manifold?

[Palf70Step]

I haven't ever had to do it on my current ride and I don't think I did one the 82 I had 15 years ago. Hope someone else can give you some feedback. I will do mine one day, but I'll probably swap it to an old style head at least by then.

[D13]

90% chance one of the bolts wil break. Be ready with the stud extractor / drill / tap and replacement bolts.

One thing to watch out for, heating the manifold to twist out a broken off bolt is a high risk operation on the integral heads, The csting is thin and high local heat tends to cause them to crack.

Why block off the passages? Ah, I see you are in the warm state where manifold heat for keeping the fuel in suspension is not as critical. Once the engine is warmed up the heat in the integral head gets diffused to the intake side anyways. Only other thing it feeds is EGR, which a simple unplugging will by pass.

Few responses because 1) most of us don't own L6 trucks (I still do!), partially because most of the L6's have been replaced with 350's 2)most of the integral heads have cracked, developed vacuum leaks, and been replaced with non-integral heads. Which is what happened ot my 81.

Keep on driving that 6 banger! I intend to get mine fired back up and on the road next year.