special tapered manifold washers

[Vincent]

I recently came across a post on Facebook about installing the manifolds, and someone said "don't forget the tapered washers for the manifold studs". I could not find any mention of these in the service or parts manuals. I searched most website parts places and found them only at KaiserWillys. They are called "Exhaust Manifold special tapered washer" for the 4-134 L engine.  This is the first I have heard of these, and needless to say, I did not use them.  Does anybody else know about these and their purpose?

[Bob W]

The shape of the washer helps to compensate for the possibility of different height manifold clamping surfaces from one side to the other.

[SteveKfl]

This is what I inherited from a PO that didn't use them and tried to "fix it"  There were air gaps in the cracks that made it pop at idle.   Then are "my fix" pics.  I would suggest using new exhaust AND intake gaskets and checking surface matchups 'before' cranking down on those ears.