Recently bought a Dorman exhaust manifold for my 86 22re pickup. Great price and maybe now I know why.

I didn't realize when I bought it that it was manufactured in China. The casting looks fine and the gasket, as well, looks like it would work fine.

Now...when examining the new studs for mounting to the exhaust pipe flange, the new nuts looked oblong - and sure enough only thread on a few turns before binding. Do you think its an extra clamping feature? As in once I took a wrench to them they would still spin on with enough effort?

Just curious. Anybody have a take on these Dorman manifolds?

 

they suck the best thing to do is spend a little more and get something better or get a header thats what i did i went with a pacesetter header i havent had any problems dont get a hooker header

 

Blunt but fair enough. I've been checking out different exhaust options for a later time. Had been thinking going stock all along for now though. (hooker header - Ha, Ha!) As long as no one has had issues, toward the serious side, I'd figure out the stud and nut thing.
What are manifolds with a better name behind them?

 

"you mean the hole in the nut is obloang / oval? sometimes nuts are made like that so they lock" - Makes sense. I definately thought that. Just got me thinking too much.
Still...I'm gonna search for other reputable stock manifolds. Anyone point me in the right direction?

 

The oval nuts are lock nuts. I had a job putting farm equipment together once. Lots of the metric nuts were oval lock nuts. They must of worked OK. I don't remember hearing any complaints from customers.

 

the dorman center dump exhaust manifolds used on a chevy have lasted over 5 years without issues

you may want brass or stainless steel nuts