5 liter header install (rant)

[Mbrooks420]

This is in my near future. The ticking is driving me insane.

 

[donaldbc]

98x5.0,

so what bolts ddi you use? since they wouldn't work? and do they loosen up on you?

 

[Cali' Explorer]

I've got a question. I believe my Exhaust manifold gaskets have blown for the 3rd time in 8,000 miles. The first time I did the passenger side and it lasted 3 days. The second time Ford Did it and I got a free set of brand new exhaust manifolds with it (The newer header style ones, not the case ones). And now, its leaking again.

I am tempted to bring it in to Ford to have them fix it again, but they probably will let go again.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had the gaskets go this many times? Its quite frustrating and I just want the damn thing to stop sounding like a caddy with the exhaust ripped off.

 

[james t]

steven, if you have the tubular style, you can use the Stage 8 locking header bolts. this will keep them from backing loose and leaking.

 

[Cali' Explorer]

James -
Ya, I was planning on doing the Stage 8 with the Dead soft gasket personally... I guess my wonder is, even if this is a problem, should it keep coming back like it is as quickly as it is

I'm just hoping that there isn't some bigger problem that I would just be covering up.

 

[james t]

it sounds as though the dealer isnt torqing them properly.

 

[Cali' Explorer]

Ok, cool. I'm going to be checking both gaskets today when it gets bright enough to. I want to make sure that's what it is... but I talked to my mechanic friend and he laughed at me. Said it was one of the quietest 5.0 Explorer's over 50K he's ever heard... but I just told him I don't like have a gas engine that sounds like a diesel. Maybe I'm just too damned picky about my ride.

Thanks for the help though James... I think you may have helped me over at FXN too at one point.

 

[MikeTEC]

Just to reinforce what James said, I used the Stage 8 stainless locking bolts & washers with my FMS headers and have not had one problem. And we have done a lot of hard, hot towing. Even used the furnished gaskets from FMS.

However, if I were to do it again, I would use the alumininum gasket James used. Won't find any better advice about 5.0s than James can give! Mike

 

[section525]

Ordered mine up!

Gaskets.............. $34.99
Bolts................... $41.99

Shipping............. $8.99

Total................... $85.97

No longer having my sweet cam lope out done by exhaust sputter..... PRICELESS

Thanks James

 

[section525]

Am I going to need to port these gaskets?

 

[TAS98xlt]

They will need a little trimming. I just matched them up with the FMS headers and it isn't perfect but is an easy fix.

 

[section525]

So you're saying I should wait till tomorrow when I have my dremel to do this?

 

[james t]

match up just fine on mine... although if you are **** you could trim them a tad.

 

[Joey P]

I am ordering these gaskets soon here and I will be reusing the stock manifold bolts. Anyone happen to know the tourge readings on these or the tourge settings for these? TIA

 

[james t]

ive got mine on 25ft.lbs.

 

[Cali' Explorer]

Ok, for those of you guys that have done this, how hard is it to get the collectors to seat?

I have had my exhaust manfiolds now replaced twice by ford (well, first time they replaced the actual manifolds, second time just the gaskets). And in both cases, they aren't getting the collectors sealed. So, now my leak is coming from the collector and still making a nice ticking/pinging sound in the middle RPMs.

Ultimately I may have a clogged muffler or cat or something because before all this work, at idle the exhaust coming from the tailpipe was steady and even, and not its choppy and uneven. How would I go about testing if that's the problem?

 

[james t]

are you completely sure its leaking at the collector and not at the head? the "ball and socket joint" Ford uses on the collector can sometimes be a PITA, but make sure that is were its leaking.

 

[MikeTEC]

Joey: Might want to give additional consideration to using Stage 8 stainless locking bolts and washers. I found it was a small investment that paid off. I used the supplied gaskets that came with the FMS headers, not knowing the gaskets James used were available. Still, I have not had any leaks in about 10K miles, much of which has been towing our travel trailer. Again, I think they are an excellent enhancement to the headers.

 

[Cali' Explorer]

Well, I do know its leaking at the collectors because I can hold my hand in front of the connection at the collector and feel the air pulsing out on the Passenger side. I already had it in because the drives side collector was leaking as well, same thing, you could physically feel it. I believe that side is now sealed, but the passenger side is doing it now.

Also, the connection from the Cats to the Muffler in the rear constantly breaks loose as well. In the year I have owned the 5.0, I have had that gasket replaced 10+ times which is what leads me to believe that the problem has to do with a clog in the muffler as well. What I'm wondering is, how could I check that this is definately the problem? I may just go have an aftermarket muffler installed (Welded in place possibly to eliminate that gasket all together).

I love the X, but all the ticking noises it makes really bother because if something really were going wrong, I wouldn't be able to distinguish it from all the exhaust leaks at this point. Also, I still am under an extended warranty which is why I have hesitated up to this point to do too much to it myself because I'm worried that after I do work to it Ford will not honor the warranty because they'll argue that it was somehow my fault.

Thanks for any suggestions you can give... I am living with it for now, but I know my gas mileage is definately suffering too (Used to get 17 - 19 MPG, getting about 8 - 10 right now, 11 - 13 on a really good tank).

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'd say something else is wrong with the truck with that MPG besides exhaust leaks.