THAT IS MY QUESTION !!!

Removed my cracked EXHAUST MANIFOLD...
There were no gaskets on ether side (block or pipe).
This is an original factory installed manifold on
a 1987 Econoline E-150, 302 engine

New MANIFOLD did not come with any gaskets but you
can purchase an exhaust manifold gasket kit
(which I did thinking I would need it)

At this point I don't think I need any gaskets.
I'm tempted to put it back together as I
found it (metal on metal).

Anybody out there do an exhaust manifold?
Maybe you can shed some light on this for me.

THANKS!!

 

One may wonder if thou manifold crack occurred due to noest gasket. The slings & arrows of saving the cost!

 

I would use the gaskets.Always have.

 

Just as an update here is what I have found out:

I spoke with my local FORD parts department. There is NO gasket used on an '87 Econoline. It is intended to be metal-to-metal. He did say there is nothing wrong with buying an aftermarket gasket set at Napa/Autozone/or wherever but they were not built that way... and hence do not need to be rebuilt that way.

NO the cracking hath nothing to doest with thine "missing" gasket ;-)

I'm not sure if ALL Econolines are metal-to-metal or only certain ones.
But I am certain mine does not have any (as designed by FORD).

Hopefully not a COMEDY OF ERRORS !!

Alas poor Manifold I knew you well...

[IMG]local://upfiles/6822/232B0CC943D84B5391D9BA5F95561C84.jpg[/IMG]

 

All's well that exhausts well!