Exaust Manifolds or headers
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15
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From: Mystic,CT
Exaust Manifolds or headers
1997 F150 XLT 4.6 V8 4X4 182K miles
Ive got a broken stud on the stock 4.6 exaust mainfold and it starting to leak.
Im going to have to fix it soon and since I will have the manifolds off and they are looking in rough shape anyway, what is the best thing to put back on thats not going to kill my wallet. And keep in mind it has 182k miles.
Thanks for any help.
Ive got a broken stud on the stock 4.6 exaust mainfold and it starting to leak.
Im going to have to fix it soon and since I will have the manifolds off and they are looking in rough shape anyway, what is the best thing to put back on thats not going to kill my wallet. And keep in mind it has 182k miles.
Thanks for any help.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15
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From: Mystic,CT
Its the stud in the head. There is no nut on the exhaust manifold just the stud broken off flush with the manifold. Im sure it will be fun trying to get that out after I get the manifold off.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 577
Likes: 15
From: Georgia
My son had a truck like yours except 4x2. He bought Hedman headers. He and his friends helping were so anxious to get the headers on they neglected to check the headers for workmanship. Turns out some of the welds on the tubing to the flange were not done properly and there were holes you could put a pencil through. Big exhaust leak. By the time he figured everything out he had lost major time and expense both getting the headers hooked to the rest of the exhaust system and figuring out why it sounded like crap. So forget about the headers and stick with the stock manifolds especially with your high mileage.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
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From: None of your business
I'd go with the headers. I ran some Summit headers on my 94 f150 5.8. They were actually made by Holley and were pretty good quality. Just make sure that you get all the bolts tight and retighten them often at first. I blew out the gaskets pretty quick because I didn't tighten one of the back ones down as well as I should have.
Mike
Mike
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Mystic,CT
Recently my bolts that hold the exhaust to the manifold rusted away and its loud as hell for about 3 miles then expands and seals itself until it cools down again. Im looking at pulling the rf wheel, pulling the well wheel shroud, and drilling out the exhaust manifold and installing new bolts from the hardwhare store. Been raining every weekend maybe soon I can "git r done" and ill let you know how I make out!
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New User
Joined: Mar 2005
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I tried doning that on a buddies truck and didn't have much luck. I ended up having to replace the manifold. Not to bad of a job though.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,360
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From: SW VA
I have been thinking about getting some headers for my 4.6 also. It has a horrible exhaust leak when cold and warming up (just like MR DSL said). I'm beginning to think that its a broken stud now that ya'll mention it.
What are some good quality headers that are relatively cheap (under $400)? TIA!
What are some good quality headers that are relatively cheap (under $400)? TIA!
New User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 16
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From: Asheville,NC
I have a 99 F-150 with the 5.4 that used to have headers. After having a bad leak on the right side four times, my headers are resting peacefully some place in the landfill. I would suggest going with stock manifolds. The right side cost me $129 and the left side was $109. You can go back stock cheaper than with headers, if you do go with headers, don't go cheap, and I would use aluminum gaskets. As for the manifolds, it has been about a month and no problems.