Cracked exhaust manifold on '99 2RZ

Hello fellow taco lovers. I recently upgraded to a 2nd gen taco and need to fix the exhaust leak in my 1st gen so it will pass smog and I can sell it. It has one of those cast iron manifolds now that is practically cracked in half, and when I pulled it off, I found that there was no gasket where it bolts to the down-pipe to the cat! :O It's been a trusty and reliable taco despite it's puff puff puffing exhaust since I got it >10 years ago. I think the leak has gotten worse, though.

Anyway, I ordered a replacement manifold for it and the one that arrived was a $hitty casting with bolt holes that were 1/4" off in a couple spots. No way it's going to fit. I've read here that I can put a steel manifold from a 2002 yr + taco on here, but I'm not sure if it would be a direct fit or what. I want to KISS so I can sell the truck and free up space in the driveway again.

What would you guys recommend? Roll the dice with another crappy cast manifold or try some year/model of steel manifold? Thanks!

Also see img for crappy casting!

 

Did you try flipping the gasket around? Thats easy to mistake but it only fits right one way

 

Oh wow, you're right. It was backwards and actually lines up a lot better flipped over.

Unfortunately, the reason I was looking at the gasket was because the manifold was bumping into the coolant pipe mount and I couldn't get the bolt into that corner. Maybe I'll just hit that one w/ the grinder to make it work. I'm a little reluctant to modify it, then crack it, and be out the $$ for a part that didn't really fit. Any ideas?

 

It’s a super tightfit but that’s normal. I’m glad it helped hopefully you get up and running soon!

 

Thanks!