56 ford custom (6/3/2011)
Thanks ted, I tracked down a set of heat shields, I wont be using them until I get rams horns. So I will just get regular gaskets for now. What is the best type and brand? What I have read I dont.dont the ones that come in the rebuild kit since they tend to crack the manifolds.I’ve discontinued using the fibre backed exhaust gaskets that are available for both the FE’s and the Y engines. There were just too many issues with the exhaust manifolds cracking after awhile as a result. What I use now if not using the HD truck gaskets (which are also available for the FE engines) is a thin film of high temperature RTV on the head and exhaust manifold surface before assembling those pieces. I’ve been using the same high temperature RTV treatment in lieu of header gaskets on the race cars and that also looks to be working well.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)