Used exhaust manifold gasket with metallic deposits being held u…

Most of the gasket material is gone, leaving only the rusty steel core. This is why gaskets should not be added - Ford designed the manifolds to seal with a layer of chassis grease that gets baked into varnish (like seasoned cast Iron cookware) the first time the engine heats up. Alternatively, high-temperature silicone may be used.

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The pointer in the background indicates the ONE bolt that sheared during removal. Fortunately, it broke just behind its head, leaving plenty exposed to make extraction easy.

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Owner caption November 2009 · Photo 62 of 434