Check your exhaust manifold bolts!

[leon63]

Today, I was changing plugs and wires on my Mounty, and noticed that the front-most bolt of the driver's side exhaust manifold was MIA - gone! I could remove the other bolt (for cylinder #5) by hand...

While you have the wheels and fender flaps off, it is really easy to check torque and retighten the manifold bolts. You might need a 9/16-inch crows foot to get to a couple bolts on the 5.0 - not sure about the other motors. The exhaust manifold bolt on the 5.0 V-8 is 3/8-16 thread size.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Good catch- Those bolts sure can work loose. You may try some blue locktite if your problem persists.

 

[techieman33]

Mine did that same cylinder too, I just put TM headers on to fix the problem

 

[leon63]

How were the headers to install?

 

[techieman33]

It's definetly an all day job maybe a weekend. But they're worth it. Here's a link to a write up of another members install, it should give you a pretty good idea of what is involved.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153944

 

[Mikeri]

Found one missing on my 98 Mountie also, driver's side, front cyl. Got the bolt fromt the dealor....8 bucks. Put it in. Several times tighten. Now, exhaust leak, right by the missing bolt, goes away after about 90 seconds of warm up. Sealed. Crazy for these bolts to come out. Way to go Louisville.

 

[Cobraguy]

You may try some blue locktite if your problem persists.

MG...you are so experienced and your posts are always right on the money, but I can't tell you how much I disagree with that procedure. Use antiseize and retorque a few times. I have had way too many exhaust bolts seize, break, twist etc that usually require head R & R to fix. I use antiseize on all my exhaust bolts and I never have a problem if I retorque 3 or 4 times.

 

[Cobraguy]

Way to go Louisville.

Tough to blame Ford for physics. Expansion and contraction.