I'm replacing my stock exhaust manifolds (292) with a set of Red's Headers.

In doing some other engine work, I had to pull the intake manifold and it looks like the passenger side exhaust runner may not be sealing right. I'm wondering if that was the source of my exhaust leak...

With all that in mind, I'm thinking about using some shim stock and blocking off the intake manifold exhaust ports. This may cause an extended warm up in the cold, but I can live with that.

The question is; has anyone done that? Since the headers won't have the valve like the original manifolds did, I'm also wondering what the net effect would be if I didn't block off the port. I'm also wondering if the shim stock will cause any sealing issue at the other runners.

Thoughts?

 

You wouldn't be the first to do that. The only potential issue will be cold weather driving. Try it and you can always change it if it is unfavorable.

I run restricted gaskets with mine. I think they are made by Best Gasket and I think they also make some that completely block of the port.