exhaust spacer

[rattlesnake]

Hi guys,
New to this site and new to the B bodies as well. I have owned many E bodies as they are my favorite and have been a member of the Cuda-Challenger site for a few years. I recently bought a 1972 Charger with the original 400 engine and automatic tranny. We tore it apart and rebuilt it back almost stock. The engine has a spacer between the block and the stock exhaust manifold. I don' know what it is for and since there is only one spacer I cannot for the life of me remember which side it goes on. It is approximately !/2" thick. Any ideas as too what purpose it serves and which side it goes on???

Rattlesnake,

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

I'm sure you will figure it out when it goes back together. Use good gaskets!!

 

[Bruzilla]

I've never seen anything like that.

 

[Cranky]

Someone had an aftermarket exhaust system on the car and the manifold would make the pipe hit the engine without a spacer? Seen that sort of thing before but it's not factory....

 

[Yatzee]

It may be to compensate for the position of the exhaust system on one side or the other. I'm referring to where the exhaust pipes run from there down and back. I'm not positive on your car but on my Mopar the engine is offset to the passenger's side rather than sitting on the center line of the frame.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

If it has single exhaust, maybe the y pipe is off an RB engine and is wider, hence the need for a spacer? I would venture to say it would go in the passenger side. Its a tight enough fit on the drivers side with a steering gear and column in the way. Pushing the ex manifold closer to that stuff doesnt make much sense

 

[Cranky]

It may be to compensate for the position of the exhaust system on one side or the other. I'm referring to where the exhaust pipes run from there down and back. I'm not positive on your car but on my Mopar the engine is offset to the passenger's side rather than sitting on the center line of the frame.

None of the engines are centered in the car and it would be very difficult to center it if you wanted to....