kenn_chan

As above, are their any preferences on brands of exhaust studs/bolts and gaskets?

I just started getting a slight tick on the passenger side at 58k miles. the old sound analyser (basic ear, model 1, mod one 2 ea) quickly acertained that the noise was indeed coming from the exhaust manifold area. Further investigation with fingers quickly identified the leaking area (along with several explitives concerning the temperture of said leak)

anything better than stock? I do not want to have to do this again.

your expertice, and knowledge are appreciated.

Tackle

I'd go stock again. It lasted what, 10-15 years?

Carcrazygts2

Ford has a updated kit that utilizes stainless studs and nuts. ALso stick with factory manifold gaskets. I'm using Motorcraft manifold gaskets, but have locking header hardware as I have longtube headers.

kenn_chan

Tackle, CarCrazygts2,

thanks for the suggestions, so no possible bennifit from something like ARP or non OEM gaskets? should I replace the manifolds or can I just surface grind and lap them? (no cracks that I can acertain, will know better when I pull them.

kenn

ibd2328

iTrader: (2)

The arp bolts are much better. Do you want to pay 170 bucks for 16 bolts?

In your case get the factory stuff.

Jbrew

That's some ate up ways checking for leaks lol. There's a safer, logical way to do so. You can get fooled easily using that method and probably were. Unless you have broken studs or warped heads, THAT gasket should NEVER leak. Make absolutly sure your not hearing a plug leak..they sound the same before they blow.

kenn_chan

He he he, not sure about the being fooled part after 30+ years of wrenching its getting kind of hard to fool me, not to mnetion the fact that the plugs are topside with the injectors and the exhasut manifolds are below.....

cheers

ken