If I remove the plastic inner fender liners(hope thats what their called) would it make it alot easier to install the new exhaust manifold gaskets? Or would I just be adding to the amount of work to be done? I was going to do it today but its still a little chilly here to do it outside, and the clearance for the top side bolts is quite limited.
Thanks in advance.
P.S. Anybody know the correct torque for the bolts, I'll be adding some antiseize as well.

 

when i removed my wheel well liner to do my injectors it was right there so im sure it would cut down on alot of time. its just a *** to get back in sometimes

 

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...IcauAfD3NlVvZg

 

^^ Link no workie.

 

Works for me.

 

no workie for me either...

 

Why are you installing exhaust manifold gaskets? They are not supposed to use them.

 

Because both manifolds are leaking exhaust which means I'm getting exhaust into the cab, which is not very pleasant.

 

Are you sure it's the manifolds and not a cracked up-pipe?

 

Just saying it is pretty unusual for these to leak. If they are truly leaking then they are warped. I would pull them off and have them surfaced at a machine shop instead of putting gaskets on.

As far as pulling them goes you can do it without pulling the fenderwell but it is a little harder.

 

What he said. Start it cold with the hood open and crawl underneath and look up with a flashlight. I vote for up-pipes. Manifolds rarely leak.

Ford sells manifold gaskets, fyi.

 

I just replaced my manifolds a few weeks ago due to warping, and I installed the Ford gaskets along with the new manifolds. In my case, the soot marks around the exhaust port at each cylinder made the diagnosis pretty obvious.

Warped exhaust manifolds is not totally unusual, but it is good to be sure before fixing/replacing them.

 

BINGO what he said, I not only saw the black soot at several places at manifold to head area, but I also sprayed a detergent/water mixture along manifold, head area before I had truck started, I'm willing to bet this is alot more common than some might think, seeing that Ford and the after market outlets have gaskets for this application. Looks like they tried to cheap out when building engines, saving millions of dollars, and letting owners pay the cost down the road.

 

With my recent motor swap/work I used a file to straighten the exhaust manifolds, but still used gaskets from ford. No leaks for me!

P.S. just noticed we live in the same place..... PM'd.