i'm going to be putting in some LPP headers soon and i noticed today looking at my stock manifolds that there wasn't a bolt in the rear of the drivers side manifold. crap. looks like one of the previous owners snapped it off. that is the one that usually snaps off correct?
so my question is, should i still go with stock gm manifold gaskets or should i go with something else for a better chance of not having a leak? use copper rtv as well in that area? i'm new to this and i don't know so give me some thoughts. thanks.

 

Sure it snapped off and isnt just missing?

I would recommend using the stock OEM gaskets.

 

i believe so. i haven't taken anything apart yet but i stuck a pic in there and it went in about 3/4" or more before it hit something.

 

same EXACT thing happened to me man on my header install the back driverside factory bolt broke off when i was taking it out.

i had a nasty exhaust leak. first thing i did was try doupleing up on manifold gaskets, it helped alot but didnt quite stop the leak all the way. second i used one manifold gasket and ringed all the holes front and back of the manifold gasket with high tempeture copper gasket maker stuff. almost completly stoped the exhaust leak. but goes away completly when the truck warms up.

 

and that spot is impossible to get to thats what pissed me off lol. only solution to correctly fix it is by pullin the heads

 

+1 Stock header gaskets.

 

I had to pull my heads due to the back driver's side bolt. POS...they break.

I went with OEM GM 3.4L v6 header studs.

 

Ive seen many broken exaust manifold bolts on these lsx motors but never broke one myself.I replaced many for friends and myself not sure y they do it but think it has to do with the aluminum head and cast manifold.The best way for me to take them out was to remove the manifold and then take a smamm 6inch pipe wrench with good teeth and back it out.

 

+2 on GM gaskets.

+2 on 3.4 studs

 

the back one on the drivers side is prown to breaking off with or with out help from a wrench.. the passenger side the manifold is split in the middle while the drivers side is not.