I have a 79 with the original engine but with an 82 exhaust. The 79 had thermal reactor holes right below the exhaust ports right on the engine of which purpose i have no clue.

Basically, with the 82 manifold on it, it blocks those holes off, and i keep blowing the gasket out because its absorbing direct exhaust heat.

Does anyone know what these holes do, and what, if anything, i can do to stop them from doing it? I really want to sell this car but it keeps burning up the manifold gasket and thats not a good thing for sales.

 

cut out a rectangle from a pepsi can, slightly larger than the thermo reactor holes. take this and stick it to the exshaust gasket with red RTV on the side that goes to the housing.

 

This is a little off topic, but where do you guys get exhaust gaskets? My local supplyer can't get them. Its like they are a dealer part, and I hope to hell they aren't. I ordered some door seals from them. That was 2 months ago. Still no word if they are in or not.

Sorry again for hijacking your thread.