[SOLVED] images of my exhaust manifold fixing - is this normal?

[keratos]

photo 1 is the context,

photo 2 is a close-up from the side

photo 3 is a close-up from the top, although rotate your screen 270 degrees!

bolts appear to be out on cylinder 4, whereas 3 and 2 are inserted all the way home. Cylinder 1 (not shown) seems ok too.

No blowing or sounds - which suggests nothing wrong. Just not seen this on an exhaust manifold - not without some blowing !

[Dave48]

There is always a "gap" between the exhaust manifold flange and the cylinder head exhaust port.
This is one of the reasons so many of us have had problems removing old corroded flange nuts & studs.
The actual seal is made by compression of the copper exhaust gasket within the exhaust port and when you offer up the exhaust headers to the studs you PROGRESSIVELY tighten the flange nuts but only to the recommended torque value of 10Nm.
A light coating of copper grease helps.
The ultimate solution of course is to fit stainless studs & stainless dome nuts that help prevent ingress of water/dirt etc.

[keratos]

thanks Dave for the advice, and the shot of a clean head !