Gaskets on EM of 1991 Grand Wagoneer

[Thom]

Has anyone replaced the exhaust manifold on a 91 Grand Wagoneer. Dealer said no gaskets needed. Haynes manual refers to replacing gaskets and Kragen Auto lists them for sale? Confused. thbirb@yahoo.com

[joe]

The dealer is correct(imagine that...?) AMC V8's don't use gaskets between the head and exhaust manifolds. If yours don't seal and you have to use gaskets to try to get them to seal your manifolds are warped and they'll have to be resurfaced at a machine shop.

[Thom]

Same between the manifold and the exhaust pipe?null

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Thom:
Same between the manifold and the exhaust pipe? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thom, there's an asbestos ring/seal that goes between the manifolds and the pipes.

[Lindel]

Oddly enough, on my FSJ's there's metal donuts, instead of asbestos. There's also no gaskets on the 79, I haven't looked at the 78. The 87 had gaskets, but then the manifolds had been taken off, when the PO rebuilt the engine. Typically, there aren't any gaskets from the factory, but once removed, install gaskets, it's cheap insurance that there are no leaks.

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lindel:
Oddly enough, on my FSJ's there's metal donuts, instead of asbestos. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Either are available at any parts house. The steel ones last longer(prolly?) but the asbestos ones are easier to get to seal. It's one of those jobs where if you have the right colored shirt on, hair parted on the correct side, mouth held just so the steel ones work. If the exhaust system is off and you can easily line everything up I'd go with the steel doughnuts. If the system is already in place and not very adjustable I'd go with the asbestos ones. They're a little more forgiving if you don't have everything "lined up just right".