Temporary fix for exhaust manifold leak. Worth it?
 

Part of my exhaust manifold gasket blew out at the #8 cylinder on my 89 351W. How it happened is a whole other story in and of itself, but now I'm trying to figure out what to do.

I bought the truck a month ago knowing that I was going to have to replace the exhaust system, so I started saving money, expecting to drop it off at the shop around the middle of October. Now I have a leak that is bad enough that I can feel it by hand near the port. Performance is not affected, but it sounds like hell driving thru my neighborhood. I have three options, and am looking for opinions. Keep in mind, all of the emissions stuff has been removed, and it's my mudding / run to Lowe's truck. By no means a daily driver.

1. Use the Permatex High-Temp patch kit. Claims to work. Should carry me over until I can afford to bring it in.

2. Leave it as is and keep an eye on it. Runs fine, and I'm not sure I want to goop glorified JB Weld on, as I can only imagine the added labor for clean up when the time comes.

3. Park it and wait. This is a last resort, as I have several missions planned over the next 6 weeks.

What say you? Thanks for any input you can provide.

Ryan

replace the gasket

Put a new gasket on. Took me like 2 hours to replace both mine.

i would put a new gasket on and if your going to redo exaust (well if i was) I would do that at the same time honestly...make less work for my self when ever possible!

I'm an aircraft electrician who knows just enough to get into trouble when it comes to cars. How can a guy pull the manifold without busting bolts? I don't have a torch...

Very carefully with PB blaster, or just prepare yourself and get a couple of easyout's.

soak the h e double hockey sticks outa them with PB Blaster. Do this over a couple days and they should come right out.

PB blaster and plunty of it as L. Ward said...just drench it and carefully proceed ;) so what if you use three cans on them? its worth it if they come loose ;) even WD40 would probably help too...


actuall mileage may vary depending on rust and other factors...

Thanks guys! Looks like I'm going to the parts store tomorrow.

When you do soak them bolts down and start the engine up, just don't mind the smoke from the PB blaster as the manifold heats up! Do a few heat cycles and when its cooled off respray them and those bolts should come right off. Also use a good 6 point socket so it gets the best bite on the bolt heads with out rounding them rusty things off.