Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

I just installed a new exhaust manifold from Snyder's after the old one broke off and the instructions say to torque it to 45 ft lbs. But I see other vendors saying to torque it to 55ft lbs.....who's right?

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

i like to use the copper gaskets and brass nuts
if you didnt buy a new intake manifold also you need to resurface your manifolds for a true plane
i tighten them by feel without a torque wrench from center out..

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

I just replaced my exhaust gaskets. I used the copper/asbestos? sandwiched gaskets. I torqued in stages up to 45 ft/lbs. I didn't want to go higher using brass nuts.

Re-torque after it heats up/cools down a couple of times. mine did set after two heat cycle re-torque.

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

I thought 35 was it?

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

45 is on the very high side, be careful. It doesn't need that much. And, I agree with not using a torque wrench. Snug them up evenly and it'll take a couple times.

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

35 Ft# they will not fall off, re-tourque after running. These nuts don't do anything but hold the manifolds on, so why risk damage?

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

35. I would not use more.
That manifold expands and shrinks quite a bit with temperature and needs to be able to move around on that gasket. If you overtighten it will just crack instead of moving

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

I've seen a wide range on torque specs from 25 ft/lbs (Bratton's) to 55 ft/lbs (Mike's). Appears the consensus on here is 35 ft/lbs or "by feel"...

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

I'm loath to torque to 55 Ft-lbs on my head studs. I have had some exit the block due to bad threads in the block. Now it always raises the hair on the back of my neck to pull that last turn.

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

Thanks everyone, I'll go with 35 lbs.

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

Good move, I did the same thing and asked questions here. Went right out and torqued to 55 lbs. Minutes later after cracking it) I was on the phone ordering a new manifold for $100 plus freight. Went with 35 lbs on the new one.

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

Main thing is to do what has worked WELL for YOU! ALSO, do several hot/cold re-tightenings, as this is often forgotten! Personally, I do several stages & end it at 55 FT LBS. Haven't broken a manifold YET! ("MAYBE" I JUST HAVE THE LUCK OF THE LAME???)
Bill W.

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

I would ask under what circumstances does a manifold nut need to be tightened to 55 Ft lbs?

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

interesting discussion. Typical for a Ford Barn discussion. But good, I am not knocking it and I had better not being I don't know anything about this area of the A.

But I think if I had to do it, I would rather risk a blown manifold gasket by having it to loose rather than a broken stud or manifold. Just my $.02 worth.

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

Well, I look at it this way, WHY did Henry put such a BIG stud?? If a lesser torque would suffice, why didn't he use 5/16 or a 3/8" studs, as they would have been cheeper! After all, manufacturing new automobiles is a NICKLE & DIME business & a Quarter's worth of plastic will build a WHOLE BUMPER, that retails for $927.17!!
Bill W.

Re: Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque
 

Remember that Ford had no torque specs back in the day.