Intake/Exhaust Manifold Gasket

[Harry]

I am installing the intake and exhaust manifolds and I notice that the gasket fits the bolt pattern except the port cutouts don’t exactly match the ports in the head.  The cutouts, for instance, have rounded corners that would partially block the port or at least impede free gas flow.  And I have two gaskets from two different suppliers - one the local MB dealer.
Thoughts?

[ja17]

Sounds like the wrong gasket. Do you have a picture?

[Harry]

Yep - here it is.  I just ordered another from AutohausAZ.  Looks like it has the better cut-outs.

[mbzse]

This is an Elring gasket kit for a M130E engine (280 SE/SL, early type)

[ja17]

The head in the photograph has the exhaust ports from an earlier injected engine. What is the casting number on the other side of the head?

[MikeSimon]

I think the issue is indeed the wrong gasket. I have a couple of "head gasket kits" from different suppliers and the manifold gasket looks exactly like Hans posted. Never seen one with the oval exhaust ports.

[ja17]

OK, I did not notice that you had the gasket installed in the picture. It is definitely the wrong manifold gasket. The gasket is from an earlier Mercedes Ponton 6 cylinder. They had smaller exhaust ports.

[Harry]

Thanks all.  Hopefully the new and correct gasket is on it's way this week.  Still interesting though that I got the wrong gasket from 2 different suppliers.  That sounds as though the problem was that I ordered the wrong gasket but I have no idea how that might have happened.  Glad that I caught it.

[Benz Dr.]

I always keep the old head and manifold gaskets so I can compare them to the new ones. Most are the same but some are not and that's the way to catch an early mistake.

[Harry]

I did thankfully keep the old gaskets but I just didn't look closely at this gasket, then noticed the fitment on the head was wrong.  I was mostly attentive that the head gasket was a match - which it was.  Interesting though because this gasket came in a kit with the correct head gasket.  New gasket should be here tomorrow.

Thanks again for the help!
Harry

[MikeSimon]

If you have an "old" head/engine with the "square" head gasket, your kit was probably correct. It is always good advice to check the fitment specs on the kit. Most of the good ones (Victor Renz, Elring) have them