Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => Tech Tips, Tech Questions => Topic started by: TopNotch on February 10, 2020, 11:28:01 am

Title: V6 exhaust manifold gasket substitution
Post by: TopNotch on February 10, 2020, 11:28:01 am
In another thread, I mentioned that my silver Formula was making a sound indicating that it might have a cracked manifold. Well, last Thursday, on the way home from work, it got very bad. Sunday the weather was nice, so I checked it out. It turned out that the problem was an exhaust manifold gasket. And luckily, it was the rear gasket. That portion of the gasket for the cylinder closest to the distributor was completely missing. I haven't a clue how it disappeared with the bolts still in place.
So I went to the local AutoZone, and of course, they didn't have any but could special order them. So I went ahead and ordered a set just in case. But then I went over to Advanced Auto. They didn't have them either, but then my mind clicked, and I asked if they had exhaust manifold gaskets for a 93 Firebird V6. They didn't have that either, but gave me the address of a nearby store that had some. So I went over to that store and got a set. My car's as good as new now.
So remember that if you need exhaust manifold gaskets for a 2.8, and can't find any, you can substitute those from an iron head 3.4.
Title: Re: V6 exhaust manifold gasket substitution
Post by: Raydar on February 10, 2020, 01:42:57 pm
Did they have the steel O-rings? Or were they the composite/waffle construction?
You can also use the gaskets for an old 4 cylinder VW bug. They come in singles - one for each cylinder - but they have the steel O-rings like the Fiero gaskets.
Title: Re: V6 exhaust manifold gasket substitution
Post by: TopNotch on February 10, 2020, 02:04:56 pm
Quote from: Raydar on February 10, 2020, 01:42:57 pm
Did they have the steel O-rings? Or were they the composite/waffle construction?
Composite/waffle. I'll post a picture later.
Title: Re: V6 exhaust manifold gasket substitution
Post by: Raydar on February 10, 2020, 02:52:01 pm
I think I know the ones.
When the Fiero Factory had to remove and reinstall my Grooms 3.4 due to it having a broken head bolt, they used those when they put it back in.
Title: Re: V6 exhaust manifold gasket substitution
Post by: TopNotch on February 10, 2020, 02:52:16 pm
93 Firebird V6 exhaust manifold gasket...

Title: Re: V6 exhaust manifold gasket substitution
Post by: GTRS Fiero on February 10, 2020, 05:43:08 pm
Quote from: Raydar on February 10, 2020, 01:42:57 pm
Did they have the steel O-rings? Or were they the composite/waffle construction?

Which is better?
Title: Re: V6 exhaust manifold gasket substitution
Post by: Raydar on February 10, 2020, 09:31:18 pm
Pat... Them's the ones I thought they were.

Michael...
Hard call. My waffle ones showed evidence of burning out, when I took my engine apart to redo the top end, but they never seemed to leak.
But others (obviously) have had the O-ring gaskets to burn out and leak too, so I guess it's a wash.
Title: Re: V6 exhaust manifold gasket substitution
Post by: GTRS Fiero on February 10, 2020, 09:59:59 pm
I like having the gasket match the entirety of the manifold, including around the bolt holes.