I have a 460 with D3VE heads, and have an exhaust leak I cannot find. I know the older exhaust manifolds had a tendency to crack over time, is this true for the heads? I have L and L fenderwell exit header sealed with copper gaskets, and I am 99% sure the gaskets aren't the source of the leak. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

Check the plugs on the front and rear of the heads, maybe you blew one of them out. I did and really got pissed after I had already taken the header off and checked the gasket.
Good luck
Chase

 

tonedog, Something esle to check, since your having trouble finding it, check the EGR spacer plate gasket. These are terrible about leaking on the older 460's. You will hear exhaust sounding like its coming from the passenger side.

It leaks between the intake manifold and the spacer plate where it comes out over the exhaust port for the EGR in the intake. If you have a Holley it will be about under the vacuum diaphram for the secondaries and the choke. But right at the intake manifold.

If this is it, don't waste your money on an aftermarket gasket, go to Ford and get a factory one. I put no less than 4 Fel-pro ones on mine and 1 Ford gasket, I was told to do that by a kindly person on here.

 

Another spot to check is the manifold pipe to exhaust pipe connection. On my 94 F250 460, there is a "cone" style connection which does not require a gasket. But it can distort under hot conditions like pulling a heavy trailer up hills. When it distorts it can develop a leak and make that putting or ticking sound.

Have a muffler shop chop off the bad connector and weld a new piece in, I was quoted about $80. If a dealer does it they will replace the entire Y pipe at the tune of $600+, stupid me.

Jim Henderson

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I will surely check them out.

tonedog