1971 Hemi RR Exhaust Manifolds Remove & Replace

Aero Warrior · Jun 20, 2021

I have a '71 Hemi RR with stock exhaust manifolds, power steering and power brakes. The gaskets on both sides have developed a leak. Is it possible to remove and reinstall the manifolds without jacking or removing the motor? Doesn't look like there is much room down there...

Bold & Old · Jun 20, 2021

Does the car have the original smaller hemi brake diaphragm?

if not it will be difficult for sure

Fran Blacker · Jun 20, 2021

Never tried but removing right torsion bar might work. Count the turns on adjuster screw and or measure ride height.

Runcharger · Jun 20, 2021

3/8 extensions and a swivel helps, laying under car. With PS you need to remove a couple bolts about 1/8 of a turn at a time with a wrench, the rest are pretty easy. Pull the battery tray too, it will make it much easier. Do the left side first, the right side is super easy.
It's been a few years since I did one, I'm pretty sure you want to pull the starter too.

Fran Blacker · Jun 20, 2021

Oops both sides, only three bolts to undo MM's. If you have or rent a cherry picker.

Jerry Hall · Jun 20, 2021

I'm of the understanding that the stock Hemi manifolds didn't use gaskets. I may be making a big mistake, but I just had a set of reproduction Hemi exhaust manifolds surfaced and bought the correct bolts and conical washers to attach.

Aero Warrior · Jun 21, 2021

Jerry Hall said:
I'm of the understanding that the stock Hemi manifolds didn't use gaskets. I may be making a big mistake, but I just had a set of reproduction Hemi exhaust manifolds surfaced and bought the correct bolts and conical washers to attach. View attachment 1127330

I read that many people have had success just using ultra high temp gasket sealer and no gaskets. I might try that but first I have to get the manifolds off.

Jerry Hall · Jun 21, 2021

Aero Warrior said:
I read that many people have had success just using ultra high temp gasket sealer and no gaskets. I might try that but first I have to get the manifolds off.

Others have presented ideas on getting them off. Your idea of the gasket sealer sounds good and I may do that as insurance, because I don't want to pull this engine once installed. If you already have an exhaust leak, I would have the manifolds surfaced.

INTMD8 · Jun 21, 2021

When I bought my car it had manifolds with gaskets that were leaking.

Removed manifolds, cleaned everything with lacquer thinner and a very thin smear of high temp rtv (and no gaskets). No leaks.

Jerry Hall · Jun 21, 2021

INTMD8 said:
When I bought my car it had manifolds with gaskets that were leaking.

Removed manifolds, cleaned everything with lacquer thinner and a very thin smear of high temp rtv (and no gaskets). No leaks.

When restoring my 440 powered original engine Superbird, it also had no exhaust manifold gaskets, and as they were the original manifolds, I replaced them without gaskets and did not have them surfaced. No leaks there either.

Aero Warrior · Jun 21, 2021

Jerry Hall said:
Others have presented ideas on getting them off. Your idea of the gasket sealer sounds good and I may do that as insurance, because I don't want to pull this engine once installed. If you already have an exhaust leak, I would have the manifolds surfaced.

Jerry,
I checked and I can't find anyone who will plane/ surface an exhaust manifold. We use to have a motorcycle shop who had a table sander but they went out of business.

Fran Blacker · Jun 21, 2021

If you lay manifold down and put a straight edge across machined surface you'll have some idea how flat it is. A light behind the straight edge would help. Another option a thick piece of glass a little longer and 6" wide than the manifold. Attach 100 grit ? sand paper glued? or double sided taped to glass. Sand surface to see if there or high or low areas. Grit of paper finer might work better. If you needed to do serious sanding a larger piece of glass the better. Just some ideas.

dadsbee · Jun 21, 2021

No tool and die / machine shop in town with a surface grinder?

Jerry Hall · Jun 21, 2021

Aero Warrior said:
Jerry,
I checked and I can't find anyone who will plane/ surface an exhaust manifold. We use to have a motorcycle shop who had a table sander but they went out of business.

I found it quiet expensive IMO. I took my machine shop the manifolds and my flywheel. $30 for the flywheel and $27 a port on the Manifolds for a total of $246 plus shop materials and tax. I hope it's worth it. When I got the quote, they told me $30 for the flywheel (very reasonable) and $27 a flange for the manifolds, which I thought would be 1 each manifold. Surprise!

1971 Hemi RR Exhaust Manifolds Remove & Replace

Aero Warrior

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Bold & Old

Deceased, But not forgotton

Fran Blacker

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Runcharger

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Fran Blacker

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Jerry Hall

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Aero Warrior

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Jerry Hall

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INTMD8

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Jerry Hall

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Aero Warrior

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Fran Blacker

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dadsbee

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Jerry Hall

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