V8 Headers

[Tekeman]

Well, it looks like i'm going to have to replace my headers out of need rather than by want. The wife called me while driving it and said it was making a noise when she stepped on the gas. I'm thinking "great"!-sarcasm. When she pulled in the driveway I could hear it. When revved, it sounded like a 70's gas guzzler w/glass packs. When I popped the hood and tried to zero in on the sound it appears as it is the driver's side exhaust manifold. The steel/aluminum? flanges that wrap around,or are part of the manifold, that were welded seem to have separated. In some other threads I searched it seems this may have happened to others. Maybe it separated slowly over time which might help explain part of our ****ty mpg lately(more on this later) - or maybe it just snapped today.

Anyhow my request now is, what is an inexpensive fix? 2 applications I've seen for my truck are James Duff and the Explorer Express/Ford Motorsport varieties. Any opinions on either of these.

Also, improving my mpg. i'm running 33's so i know that has a factor now plus my odometer isn't corrected so it is turning slower. also, wife been putting in the cheap octane with superchip due to gas prices(probably a no-no). With 50k + should i be replacing O2 sensors? Does mpg really drop in cold weather? egr problems? (and egr stands for...,something with emmissions?)
Other suggestions.... I went from 320mi/tank easy(17mpg) to an unadjusted 200mi/tank(when lucky) 10-11mpg

Sorry for my length (don't say that often)
Thanks

 

[Tekeman]

Any opinions on 5.0 headers?

 

[EMStaxi]

Tekeman, real quick...What type of body lift did you use? How much? Did you install yourself? any additional parts for steering components?

 

[Tekeman]

I think it was performance accessories - whatever Offroad Warehouse is selling ($139). I paid a knowledgable sp? friend of a friend $150. 3.5 hrs. of work. The steering extender in the kit was ground out to fit better. No steering problems. Knock,Knock

 

[Explorer58V8]

i believe ford motorsports division i designing headers for the 5.0 and they are expected to be released in the late spring 2001

 

[Tekeman]

So, now in the 2001 Motorsports catalog they don't list 97-00 headers but still list 96. Can the 96 be modified in some manner to fit my 97? If not i hope Explorer58v8 is right about a new header avail in the spring for 97+ xploders.

 

[Tekeman]

weel, i know now for sure what my exhaust problem is.. Where the 4 exhaust tubes come together at the collect is clean broken. Options are replacing w/factory ford -$339 for just 1 manifold, look for a used stocker, reweld what i have, have a custon header job done. Also, my check engine light is now on. I'm told driving it with the header leak will burn/damage my valves and/or heads. Until i get a fix could i disconnect the O2 sensor harness so it won't read too rich and back down the fuel readings. Other ideas. Other problems i'm unaware of? Everyone will weld it for me but no one want to pull it off! Pisser really is its a daily driver!

 

[Tekeman]

UGH!!..dead ends.....dead ends....dead ends