So my 94 F250 with a 351 has a few loose exhaust manifold bolts... I can hear/ feel the leak on the passenger side. How much crack am I smoking to think I could just tighten them and get by for a while? I don't have the time to tear it down at the moment. I don't see any major long term damage from this.

 

I just took the Manifolds off of my 93 F250 351 because I heard a leak one bolt was missing ( or so i thought) and another broke. I found out later that the missing one was broken as well.

 

I figured if I hosed them down with some pB blaster them torqued them to spec they might seal better than they are. I am gonna try it, what else can I do short term? Any ideas?

 

Just torquing them will not do it as they are rusted in. you would need to loosen them and then torque them back to spec. If you do that you should just get a new set of bolts and put a gasket in. Figure out which side is leaking and just do that side for now.

Bolts and Gasket are cheap. I paid about $40 for both and got a descent gasket.

 

I have not ever seen a modern Windsor motor that uses a gasket.

 

From the Factory no they do not have gaskets but unless the head and the manifold is nice and flat and smooth then it is sugested to install one. it just makes life easier so it does not have to be redone.

 

Yah, I know there isn't one now.... that's the question I guess now.

 

You guys are right that from the factory, there is not a gasket. However, after a few heat cycles, the metal is warped and will never seat right again if taken apart. Therefore, you need to put a gasket in if you remove the manifold, or if it comes loose. A good metal core gasket is a good idea. The cheaper paper gaskets wont last long and you'll be removing the manifold again.