WHY do I keep blowing gaskets!!??!!

[Deb'sGW]

Symptom: Ticking on the driver's side of the manifold.

Fix: New copperseal gasket on driver's side. Runs like a charm...

Two weeks later... Ticking is back! Leak now on passenger side! Gaskets blown..

Fix: Get the manifold machined since it is now warped and new gaskets all around. Again..runs smmoooooootthhhh

One week later... Ticking back again! UGH!
Gaskets are blown again!

What can be causing this? The mechanic said maybe the cat converter is plugged but he has to go off and do some research.

Here I am doing my own research. Any ideas you guys have would be great!

Thanks, Deb

[porkchop]

The best gasket I have found so far is Rol gaskets. I put them on my headers and have not had them leak yet and it has been over three months. Here is the link: http://www.rolmfg.com/

Also some say that a gasket is not needed with the stock manifolds.

[PhilSine]

Coupla things.

I've heard that copper gaskets are not as reliable as other types.

Make sure your bolts are torqued properly (between 23-28 lbs)

Yes, you do need a gasket with stock manifolds. Only by a few on this forum have I ever heard otherwise.

My 77 had no gaskets on it and the manifold leaked so bad that I couldn't tell how well (or poorly) my engine was running. I installed the gaskets and what do you know..... I can now hear my worn lifters.

[Jerk]

I second the "gaskets on manifolds" thing, they are a must. I tried it on the 81 Cherry without gaskets and lotsa exhaust was "bypassing" the pipes. I put the gaskets on and it was WAY quieter, until I cut the muffler, cat, and tailpipe off. then it was just frikkin' COOL!! :D :D . But 5 minutes later "reason" won out and I put a 24"x2.25" glasspack on and it sounds great, a little bellowy at high rpm, but pretty mellow otherwise. Mellow does not = Pusslike! Mellow = on the edge of grumpy yet holding back for the sake of others. yeah, I like that. ;)

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I have never used gaskets on the stock manifolds. EVER. They were rolled out the factory door with no manifold gaskets.

[River Beast]

After one week of driving... are you re-torqueing the bolts? I have done this RELIGIOUSLY on manifolds and headers with great success...

[ChuckWag]

I'm with RiverBeast. We forgot to re-torque our Edelbrock headers, and after about 2000 miles found that we had fried gaskets on both sides (ticking, hissing, and HEAT). Retorque your manifolds or gaskets frequently, and no problem.

CR