Bree

So, a short time back, I mentioned I was going to get a 98 F-150. My mechanic said, "It's just an exhaust manifold gasket, that'll run ya about 200 bucks" So I get a student loan, buy the truck ($1800).. Now he tell me the whole manifold has rotted out and it'll be closer to $400!!! I can now clearly see a pencil lead size hole in it.
I know manifold issues are common on those "space shuttle" F-150s but for me right now, that extra $200 was a bit, well, you know....

Wannafbody

Check ebay for a manifold and replace it yourself.

Bree

Beleive me, the temptation is there! Thing is, I know how those bolts love to snap off, and if I snap one on that truck, I'm in a world of $#!%... That engine sits low in the frame, I'll never get my drill in there!

nickf2005

OP, I understand the frustration. My 07 has developed a manifold leak and 2 different shops have said the engine's gotta be pulled to fix at the cost of $1500+.

On a side note, I believe your first mistake was taking out an $1800 student loan to purchase the truck. However, this is not a financing forum. Good luck.

king nothing

JB weld is your friend

mksmth

OP I agree with that. At this point what could it hurt to try. Your only out a few bucks.

Adam013085

Consider yourself lucky at $400. Most repairs out of the usual maintenance are more than that.

Wannafbody

there is some type of JB Weldish higgh temp for manifolds you might be able to find at a hardware store.

Jjayf

Absolutely..

Bree

Well, if I was buyiung it for a "toy" I would agree with you 100%!!!! However, this is to be a replacement for the SO's dayly driver. (G-body Pontiac) The entire back half of the frame rotted away, (rust) the engine burns oil, and the distributor is FUBAR. If you tighten the locking mechanism, then it boggs the oil pump, but as it sits, it's constantly slipping! The driver's side door hinges are almost shot, the window switches are toast, and something is going on with the electronics, that if it sits more than a couple days, the battery goes flat! Also, the top half or the seam of the gas tank is also rotted away, and if you put more than half a tank in it, it leaks like a sieve!
Don't get me wrong, the USS Nimitz (as I like to call it) was a beautiful car in it's day, (1984) but now the poor old thing needs to get parked on the back side of the farm until we can give it a frame-off restore!