On my 1988 Southwind the driver side is leaking and wont pass inspection. I have a 1989 P30 factory service manual but it pretty much just says to remove spark plugs, remove exhaust pipe, remove manifold bolts and plug shields, remove manifold. I'm sure it's more involved than that.

Given the age of your vehicle, every nut, bolt and screw will be rusted tight. Get lots of penetrating oil, a top quality set of drill bits, and stud and bolt extractors. You will undoubtedly run into broken bolts and fasteners when you try to loosen them. Also get a good supply of top grade nuts, bolts, and studs for replacement.

Bandaides. Plenty of bandaides for the knuckle-buster bolts.

Should it be hot or cold when removing the bolts?

The best advice I can give you is don't just replace the gasket, replace the exhaust manifolds with headers. If you look very carefully the stock manifolds are probably cracked anyways. The old 454's and 460's run hot anyways and tend to crack and burn spark plug wires also. I would also replace the ign wires with Hi temp 10.4 MM wires like the Taylor Extreme wires while you are at it. Your engine will run a lot cooler and the fan clutch will come on lest often, not to mention increasing your HP between 60 and 80 HP. If you plan to do the job yourself soak the bolts every day for a week with Kroil oil and tap each bolt head each day to set up a capillary action to get the oil into the threads. If the bolts won't come out or break off, I would let a garage do it.

Get a hold of Ivan at Pine Hollow Automotive in PA !(P.S. I agree, the manifolds are likely cracked.)

Any advice for replacing exhaust manifold gasket in a 454?

okhmbldr
Explorer
May 14, 2020
Those look like stainless steel headers to me. Blow up the photo. It has several places with welds and the tubing doesn't look cast at all. Spray and soak then give them a twist. And don't try to patch with mixed up junk.
atikovi
Explorer
May 14, 2020
Gjac wrote:
They are cast iron.

I've never seen cast iron formed into tubular shapes like these, especially with that accordion section in the middle like that.
opnspaces
Navigator II
May 14, 2020
Agreed with daily spraying them for at least a week with a penetrating oil. Even if you are going to have a shop do it you might prevent a few broken bolts and the subsequent increase in labor rate.
Gjac
Explorer III
May 14, 2020
atikovi wrote:
Gjac wrote:
If you look very carefully the stock manifolds are probably cracked anyways.

I thought they were stainless steel?
. They are cast iron. The newer headers may be SS depending on make. Banks is SS. Thorleys carbon steel and ceramic coated.
Branson_N_Tucso
Explorer II
May 14, 2020
The poor person that is buying it. Screwed!
T18skyguy
Explorer
May 14, 2020
You could try JB Weld Extreme heat. Might be worth a shot.
K_Charles
Explorer
May 14, 2020
atikovi wrote:
K Charles wrote:
your selling it. Get it hot, mix up some furnace cement, or buy some pre mixed, and but it on the leak. Let it dry before starting.

For a blown gasket?

It will stop the leak.
atikovi
Explorer
May 13, 2020
Picture of the other side.
atikovi
Explorer
May 13, 2020
K Charles wrote:
your selling it. Get it hot, mix up some furnace cement, or buy some pre mixed, and but it on the leak. Let it dry before starting.

For a blown gasket?
atikovi
Explorer
May 13, 2020
Gjac wrote:
If you look very carefully the stock manifolds are probably cracked anyways.

I thought they were stainless steel?