Thanks for the information fellows, it sounds like a fairly simple fix to use the shim stock and block off the exhaust. That is what I shall do. Cheers, Tom



Tom from the chiggerfarm located in the beautiful Heart of Central Texas

When you cannot dazzle others with your brilliance, baffle them with bullcorn!

Just taking some shim stock in either brass or tin and blocking the crossover exhaust ports at the intake gasket just prior to lowering the intake into place will stop all exhaust leaks that are intake manifold related.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Tom,



I had a similar problem with my 292. the leak was at the gasket, and not at the intake, so it was an easy fix. I confess I never saw a hole in the intake itself. If you want to eliminate the exhaust flow trough the intake, I wouldn't plug the head, because some problems can result from interfearing with the dilatation and contraction of the head itself, in a very hot zone. I think the best way, is to plug the intake itself, and to use a good gasket, also without the hole. But consider this: if you install a good intake, with a good gasket, you can keep things stock and have no problems with it. I've seen more problems with coolant leaking from the front passages on the intake than exhaust leaks, so I think keeping things stock can be a good thing.

Túlio Lazzaroni "FORD", Florianópolis SC Brasil.

'74 Ford Galaxie 500 292 V8

'82 Ford Galaxie Landau 302 V8

'98 Chevrolet S10 4.3 V6

'01 Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec

Has anyone experienced holes coming in the exhaust area of the intake? I have two '54 cars with 239 engines and both have this problem. I don't remember ever seeing this on any other yblocks before. One is on the top and has a hole about 3/8". The other is just starting underneath on the right side. If I put my finger underneath before it gets too hot, I can feel it. I have read here about covering the ports of the new gaskets to eliminate the exhaust getting there and wondered what others have used to do this, and does it seem to be a lasting fix. I have some gaskets that have the metal centers but they have a round hole. I think they are for 272 /. It looks to me like a light weight metal cover there would just burn through eventually. Has anyone tried welding something in the manifold?



Tom from the chiggerfarm located in the beautiful Heart of Central Texas

When you cannot dazzle others with your brilliance, baffle them with bullcorn!