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Author Topic: Manifold crack, busted header gasket? 94Blackout ¯ Member # 2541 posted                              So here I thought that the flange on the headers to the H pipe were bad. Fixed that, but still heard the ticking sound of exhaust leak coming from the headers. Then I noticed that the last 2 header bolts closest to firewall were missing from the driver side headers. Went and got some new bolts, tightened them in and the rest of the bolts on that side, but alas, still the loud noise. Any clue if this is just a header gasket gone bad or something worse? The gasket is no more than 2-3 months old. -------------------- 87 5.0 LX: Exploded 94 Cobra: Totalled 94 GT Vert: Rear ended 98 Charged GT: Sold 65-67 2+2 Fastback: Someday... Posts: 704 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  : mtbaughs Road Racer Member # 4052 posted                              Its most likely a bad header gasket especially if you were missing some bolts. Use a length of hose and listen to the area where you hear the noise. -------------------- R.I.P. Charlie Bruno Dec 2001 Posts: 2019 | From: Boise, Idaho | Registered: Jan 2004  |  : BlackNGold CaliforniaFords.com Moderator Member # 655 posted                              What about the intake manifold crack, you never mentioned that.... Mustangs have headers not manifolds, there is a difference... ...............Yeah, sounds like you need some new header gaskets... -------------------- -SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT- Posts: 5132 | From: Bay Area, CA | Registered: Dec 2001  |  : 94Blackout ¯ Member # 2541 posted                              Anything specific I'm listening for? Also, is it bad to be driving around with a bad gasket? I've been driving on it for about a week. Never heard anything more annoying than this, almost as bad as open headers! -------------------- 87 5.0 LX: Exploded 94 Cobra: Totalled 94 GT Vert: Rear ended 98 Charged GT: Sold 65-67 2+2 Fastback: Someday... Posts: 704 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  : 94Blackout ¯ Member # 2541 posted                              I meant intake manifold, but I brainfarted and realized that it wouldn't be making that much noise even if it had busted. -------------------- 87 5.0 LX: Exploded 94 Cobra: Totalled 94 GT Vert: Rear ended 98 Charged GT: Sold 65-67 2+2 Fastback: Someday... Posts: 704 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  : JohnB Tech Moderator Member # 969 posted                              Change the header gasket along with throwing some new bolts in. The unfortunate thing about headers...unless you've got locks on the bolts, the will back off eventually. -------------------- 1965 Shelby Cobra 1993 Cobra 2012 F150 Raptor 2020 GT500 Posts: 6523 | From: Orlando FL/Redding CA | Registered: Mar 2002  |  : Jdub07 ( O Y O ) Member # 2728 posted                              ahhhhh good ol headers exhuast leaks. Talk about a pain the my ass. Anyway get new gaskets for sure since you were missing bolts. Then if you don't want to spring for new locking bolts use some lock tite. Blue for mild thread lock or Red for maximum lock. I used the blue locktite about 5 months ago and haven't had a problem since. I have a few bottle of the read lock tite if you want one let me know. I'll just give you one. Posts: 7282 | Registered: Apr 2003  |  : 94Blackout ¯ Member # 2541 posted                              Thanks for the advice fellas. I looked up the locking bolts, 55 bucks actually sounds like a deal if I don't have to keep tightening these bastards down. I think for just a quick fix though I will use Jdubs idea and go with the lock-tite for now. -------------------- 87 5.0 LX: Exploded 94 Cobra: Totalled 94 GT Vert: Rear ended 98 Charged GT: Sold 65-67 2+2 Fastback: Someday... Posts: 704 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  : mtbaughs Road Racer Member # 4052 posted                              Since you are in San Jose, don't spend $55 on bolts, stop by Apex and get their bolts with sure loc washers. They are like $20-25 and better than stage 8's. Just my .02 -------------------- R.I.P. Charlie Bruno Dec 2001 Posts: 2019 | From: Boise, Idaho | Registered: Jan 2004  |  : 94Blackout ¯ Member # 2541 posted                              Well then it is off to APEX I go... thanks for the lowdown! -------------------- 87 5.0 LX: Exploded 94 Cobra: Totalled 94 GT Vert: Rear ended 98 Charged GT: Sold 65-67 2+2 Fastback: Someday... Posts: 704 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  :

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