Manifold sealing face for improved bellows installation

A method of installing a bellows into an exhaust manifold assembly for use in routing exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

• providing the exhaust manifold assembly, the exhaust manifold assembly including:
• a first manifold section having a first annular flange and a first annular shoulder extending axially outward from the first annular flange,
• a second manifold section spaced from the first manifold section, the second manifold section having a second annular flange and a second annular shoulder extending axially outward from the second annular flange, and
• a bellows including:
• a third annular flange disposed about a periphery of a first end of the bellows, and
• a fourth annular flange disposed about a periphery of a second end of the bellows;
• positioning a first gasket against the first annular flange and a second gasket against the second annular flange;
• compressing the bellows;
• positioning the bellows such that the third annular flange of the bellows contacts the first annular shoulder of the first manifold section, and the fourth annular flange of the bellows contacts the second annular shoulder of the second manifold section;
• and
• moving the bellows along the first and second annular shoulders until the third and fourth annular flanges of the bellows align with the corresponding first and second annular flanges of the respective first and second manifold sections.

An internal combustion engine system, comprising:

• an internal combustion engine;
• and
• first and second manifold assemblies each in exhaust gas receiving communication with the internal combustion engine, each of the first and second manifold assemblies including:
• first and second manifold sections, each of the first and second manifold sections having a body portion and an annular flange disposed about a periphery of an end of the body portion, and an annular shoulder extending axially outward from each annular flange, and
• a bellows fluidly coupling the first and second manifold sections.