header gasket leak

[rizzjc]

So, my '97 5.0 has been "ticking" for .... well, a long time. 'Course, I'd like to put some TMH's on it, but that's way down on the list, i.e. after I get a break from having to fix other stuff. On that subject, I dug into it tonight to do plugs, wires, and cam synchronizer, and snapped some photos. This is passenger side header. This is the only sign of a leak I see. I expected to see a lot more signs than this, but the rest looks pretty good, I think.

I was a bit surprised that this is the only "soot" I see, given all of the darn ticking this thing does. It also doesn't have nearly the power it use to, which I figured this contributed to, but how much power could I really be losing just from that one spot leaking?

 

[Turdle]

I'm sorry to inform you ( or glad if you want the headers ) that it is time for headers.
That there is broken right in half-when you remove the header it will fall off in 2 pieces. It's broken under the shield.

 

[rizzjc]

Uhhh, why do you say that? So, you're thinking that the soot is getting blown back onto there from the pipe sitting right in front of it? That would be interesting. So, who's coming out to help me? I was planning to save my tax rebate though.

 

[Turdle]

Here is what fell off Bryan's Mounty when we got in there

 

[Turdle]

And this one is off my truck. The weld doesn't work well.

 

[rizzjc]

And all this time I thought the gaskets were the big problem. Well, I guess that completes my excuse for needing TMH's instead of just pulling them and replacing the gasket. Well, let's see if this latest fix solves all of the other problems, and then we'll start "planning" for this.