jessicabritt07
1/2 ton status
How do I replace the gasket on an exhaust manifold?
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- Thread starter jessicabritt07
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normally, there is no gasket on factory manifolds
you would unbolt it from the collector and head, scrape off the old sealant and maybe a light sanding on both surfaces. Reapply new exhaust gasket maker (copper stuff, thin layer) and bolt on. Check the bolts once a week for a few weeks to keep tight. They make gaskets to work with factory manifolds if you so incline to use one. Personally, I ditched the manifolds asap, so I don't have much experience other than headers.
you would unbolt it from the collector and head, scrape off the old sealant and maybe a light sanding on both surfaces. Reapply new exhaust gasket maker (copper stuff, thin layer) and bolt on. Check the bolts once a week for a few weeks to keep tight. They make gaskets to work with factory manifolds if you so incline to use one. Personally, I ditched the manifolds asap, so I don't have much experience other than headers.
jessicabritt07
1/2 ton status
I was thinking about headers, but I really don't have much experience with working on trucks, but I would like to do the work myself. I just don't want to screw up my truck. Soo, I'm still debating what I should do.
Headers are great, but they add some hassle. Getting to plugs on some can be a problem, getting to the starter can be a hassle, you have to re-do at least part of the exhaust pipe, etc.
Did you figure out where the leak is?
Did you figure out where the leak is?
jessicabritt07
1/2 ton status
I'm
Gonna go out there and look at it this morning after I get some coffee in me. I am just all confused now because I was talking to my ex and he said it should just be the gasket.
Gonna go out there and look at it this morning after I get some coffee in me. I am just all confused now because I was talking to my ex and he said it should just be the gasket.
Just feel around the manifolds (don't touch them when hot) and feel for air. When you find it you will be able to tell if its by a sealing surface, or a crack or something.
Also check at the bottom of the manifolds where that three bolt flange is connecting to the exhaust pipe. Those can leak too. Don't burn ya self
Also check at the bottom of the manifolds where that three bolt flange is connecting to the exhaust pipe. Those can leak too. Don't burn ya self
jessicabritt07
1/2 ton status
Lol, except he broke up with me. I can't feel any leak bit it's hard for me to really get in there because I'm short.
jessicabritt07
1/2 ton status
I used a step stool
454Sub
5/8 ton status
You really cant mess up a header install, I wouldnt worry to hard. It does have the added expense of re arranging your exhaust and such though. And certain brackets can be effected as well but nothing to overly complicated.
That being said, I would bet heavily on the flanges not sealing to the block or the collector 3 springbolt junk gasket thing, over the manifold being cracked. That has always been my experience with them personally, I always junk the manifolds as well. Nothing but a good door stopper on my garage.
That being said, I would bet heavily on the flanges not sealing to the block or the collector 3 springbolt junk gasket thing, over the manifold being cracked. That has always been my experience with them personally, I always junk the manifolds as well. Nothing but a good door stopper on my garage.
Sorry sorry.. Lol
Well if you can't get under the hood to reach around.. Idk how your gonna fix it very easily. For any tall friends??
BTW, small can be good when working on trucks.
My cousin Baitfish2 and I used to use his son with his small size and arms to reach into places on our trucks to work on things that we had problems with.
Now he is in the 82and Airborne, and his arms are bigger than ours so he calls on us!
My cousin Baitfish2 and I used to use his son with his small size and arms to reach into places on our trucks to work on things that we had problems with.
Now he is in the 82and Airborne, and his arms are bigger than ours so he calls on us!
jessicabritt07
1/2 ton status
Lol. Thanks 
jessicabritt07
1/2 ton status
Lol. It would be a good thing if I knew what I was doing
When you have a weekend free, and I'm only slightly kidding about that the post count is HUGE, read through this thread.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283048
The Chief started out asking about some rust preventative, and over time from asking questions here, has rebuilt a Blazer practically from the frame up to match the Blazer used in the Jaws movie.
He basically knew nothing at first, but has done wonders.
He did not take my warnings about his attempt at a paint tent, so it blew away, but otherwise it has gone well.
Others have rebuilt transmissions, rear ends, transfer cases, often without any knowledge at the beginning.
No matter what you tackle, there are people here who know all the tricks and techniques and are more than happy to walk you through it.
Exhaust manifolds are one of the more frustrating things to tackle. There is not much to them, but they can be a real pain.
Mainly due to rusted bolts or studs that like to break off in the engine.
But, lots of soaking with penetrating oil, some heat, and moving carefully will usually win the day.
Several mechanics I know swear by running the engine until its up to temp, and then unbolting the manifold while its still hot.
I have done it once, and it worked. Thick gloves and being very careful resulted in only one small burn.
But, others just do lots of oil soaking.
Plus there are other tricks.
You need to make sure where the leak is. Almost always you will see some black at the leak.
If its a crack, there will usually be a black crooked line. If its where it seals to the engine, there will be black streaks.
I watched one guy dribble a small amount of oil into the intake while running the engine at fast idle.
This produced a lot of smoke at the rear, and a few puffs at the leak.
But, listen to the others here. I'm pretty good at everything, but my specialty is electricity and electronics.
I can walk you through anything electrical if you can stand to wade through my long boring posts........
Are you able to take a small video and post it here. And go around and get some good close ups on the manifolds and the flanges and maybe somebody here can spot your problem.
jessicabritt07
1/2 ton status
I can in a little while. I'm at the gym at the moment.
jessicabritt07
1/2 ton status
videos
i took a couple of short videos on my phone but it will only let me save them as a quicktime file and it wont let me upload them on here.
i took a couple of short videos on my phone but it will only let me save them as a quicktime file and it wont let me upload them on here.
