I am in the proess of installing new exhaust gaskets on a sb chevy . There are ceramic plugs? going into the exhaust ports of the head. What are these, are they important, how do I get rid of these? Can I just get rid of them and plug the holes? Thanks
Scott 73RS

Just trying to make sure we understand you correctly.

The "plugs" you are talking about. These are threaded into the Exhaust manifolds correct???

If this is what you are talking about, this was the ports where the tube manifolds for the A.I.R. injection system was installed. They may look like they are ceramic due to the exhaust heat but they should be steel or brass.

If this is the "tubes" that are sticking into the exhaust ports, these are the extension that a installed from the outside of the manifold and direct the air towards the valves. There should be a tubing nut or plug on the outside that needs to be removed completely in order to remove the extension tubes. Once the tubing and the A.I.R. injection manifolds are removed, you will need to get some inverted flare plugs from an auto parts store to "plug" the intake manifold. Standard Pipe plugs do not have the correct thread size and pitch to seal the manifolds.

yes, that is what I was talking about. How much effect does this have on performance? After I take them out will I see more/less/same performance?

Will JB weld work or is it too hot for it to stick?
Thanks for all your help
Scott 73RS:bowtie:

Scott,

If you have no A.I.R. system on the car, no EGR or any other smog related part, then get rid of them!

Don't use JB Weld! It just won't hold for a long time! Do it right, pull them out get the correct plugs or just install a set of headers.

Thanks got it done last night (in the rain) looks great. Saving for a set of good headers. Replacing pass side ex gaskets tonight.

Thanks
Scott 73RS

I bought some plugs for the exhaust manifolds at Autozone. They still had quite a few left when I bought them.