Recommend quick temporary fix for header on 5.0L

[schadler]

I've had what I thought was the bad passenger side ehaust manifold gasket on my 97 V8 (ticking heard through dash, and leak sound near header), but Speedy just told me it's a cracked header. I'm not convinced, because he didn't even look at it, and they were busy, so I think they just didn't want to F with it.

Ford wants $300 for the gasket and $550 for the manifold ($850 for the whole job). Since I am getting an occasional slight misfire at idle, which I suspect is my O2 sensor getting confused from the air leaking in/out of the leak, I want to do a temporary fix until I have the time and money to fix this properly. Can I use Hi-Temp silicone with perhaps a piece of sheet aluminum and a hose clamp (if it's a manifold leak), or HiTemp silicone in the hole (if it is a gasket leak)? I'm also curious to see if that also fixes my idle problem. Will the pressure of the exhaust blow out any temporary gasket I make?

p.s. this is NOT a leaky EGR return tube.

Thanks!!

MS

 

[race4food]

JBweld, held up under a 45 minute SCCA national race, should hold up for you on the street.

 

[schadler]

Thanks Race, I'm sure glad I can do something, at least temporarily, instead of shelling out hundreds just to shut up the tick-tick noise.

 

[schadler]

I took off the heat shield and the manifold was cracked completely in a circle around the pipe. I used Qualco crack filler and a Victor exhaust pipe repair kit for added measure. So far it is holding

 

[plrs x45]

just an fyi; do some more shopping. My header gasket cost $36 and I was lucky to not need a manifold. My quote was $314 for both manifolds! I had this header gasket put on for $96. good luck.

 

[Scottster]

just an fyi; do some more shopping. My header gasket cost $36 and I was lucky to not need a manifold. My quote was $314 for both manifolds! I had this header gasket put on for $96. good luck.

Where did you happen to come across both manifolds for $314. I have been looking for several months along with some parts dealers. Help would be nice. Thanks.. Scottster :smoke:

 

[section525]

eBay has the stock manifold all the time. You can get the Percy's aluminum gaskets and locking header bolts that'll hold for life. The problem I use to have was the header bolts would just vibrate loose. When I went to put the new gaskets on, I did't need to use a wrench on a single bolt. They were all just finger tight (or finger loose).

Another option would be to keep your eye out on explorerexpress.com for some new 5.0 headers that should be available in the next month or two.