Finished my rebuild and the engine runs but has a massive exhaust leak on one side. I had the feeling this would happen when I reattached the y-pipe to the shorty headers (Summit brand). Not matter what I did I just couldn't get everything to line up perfectly.

- Current setup is metal to metal. I don't remember any graphite (or other) seals on the old manifolds (which of course I threw away!). Is there supposed to be a seal and if so where do I get one? I can't find any reference to a seal at any of the internet supplier sites.

- I'm thinking the easiest solution would be to cut the y-pipe and use one of the flex exhaust connectors. Any reason why this would be a bad idea?

 

They are cheap, you can't weld to them and they leak. At least in my experience.
You might have to get an exhaust shop to bend you up a new one.

 

I am having that same problem bad, I bought some shorty headers off of ebay and the driver side header doesn't even come close to bolting up to the stock location....!!! ;(

 

the summit headers are like that. they are manufacturer seconds. you need to have an exhaust shop redo the y pipe to fit. I had bought summit headers to 3yrs ago and went thru the same issues. Sucks

 

I do not think that the Shorty Headers were designed to be a direct bolt up to your original Y-pipe. The original y-pipe to exnhaust manifold does use a doughnut style seal.

 

maybe on your cujo, my y pipe didnt have any donut and when buying shorties tend to claim they bolt to stock exhaust y pipes. the better quality shorties like gibson, jba, bassani and bbk bolt right up.

 

My bassani y-pipe missed my Ford headers. They were in the ballpark but not enough to bolt on and go.

I took a good look at where the pipe needed to be and how it needed to be moved...heated it up with a torch and bent it by putting a stick in the pipe with my foot on it. Fits now w/ no leaks.

 

bassani shorti headers and the mandrel bent y pipe bolt up nicely together.

 

Yeah, because you're not mixing brands...

 

Bought a set of Ford Racing Shorties and original Y fit perfectly. No donut, metal to metal. Now looking to dump original exhaust and go to duals. Heard it both ways that crossover (X or H) is necessary or not necessary. What's the real skinny? Got a bung in the collector of the right header for the O2, so that won't be a problem. Looking for another mpg or two.

 

H or x is necessary to equalize the pressure and creats a scavenging affecting which draws the exhaust from either side. put the o2 sensor in the h or x pipe for best readings. since your running a 302 i would not go any larger then 2 1/4 pipe for duals.

 

Whether or not it's 100% necessary....it's the right way to do it (put an X/H in).