Exhaust manifold 45 or 55 ft lbs of torque

[ped58]

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?

[Mitch//pa]

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..

[Y-Blockhead]

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.

[mhsprecher]

I thought 35 was it?

[Patrick L.]

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.

[J Franklin]

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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?

[tbirdtbird]

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

[Y-Blockhead]

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"...

[J Franklin]

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.

[ped58]

Thanks everyone, I'll go with 35 lbs.

[Tacoma Bob]

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.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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.

[J Franklin]

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

[Fred K-OR]

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.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

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

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.

[Mike V. Florida]

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