Exhaust Manifold Installation

I have a 225 V6 freshly rebuilt. It was painted after the rebuild. It looks great. The exhaust manifold surface on the block was painted also. Should the paint be removed before installing the gaskets and manifold. I don’t want the paint to burn off and leave a slight space from the paint. I’m going to coat the gaskets in copper spray, I think that is correct. I can remove the paint but if I don’t have to, it would make he install easier.

 

I would remove the paint from the mating surface.

 

No gaskets from factory.
Metal on metal.
Unless manifolds warped, you shouldn't need exhaust gaskets on V6.

 

I may be off a little here, but I would use the gaskets. Metal on metal is fine from the factory, when everything is pristine and perfect, but I always feel better with the gaskets on used manifolds.

 

Bolt that thing together and fire it up bud, your number one concern is gonna be breaking the cam in.

 

What I'm saying is don't sweat the paint...

 

Agreed!