Greetings. I had to pull the exhaust manifold off the drivers side of my engine. Popped out a freeze plug. I was suprised to not see a gasket for the header. My question is should I put one on when reassembling?

Another question...The plug that popped is directly above the motor mount. Access is awful. I tried the scheme of unbolting the brackets that bolt to the engine, leaving the chassis bolts connected then jacking up the engine an inch or two. That would at least allow me to fit a rubber plug in it. i can't get to the forward bolts of the engine brackets.

I can get a bar through the wheel well to the plug but it is probably a 45 angle. I worry I can get a regular plug in part way and not be able to get it out. I guess if it is not in well it will pop out again any way. Last time was on the freeway Pm 5pm traffic. Any ideas on how to get to this thing. Any tools that might press the plug up in there? Or is it just McGyver the thing in best I can?

 

The factory did not use a gasket. Personally I recommend using one once the header is off due to warpage.

 

i just replaced my mounts. To get those front bolts, remove your fan and shroud. I had room to get a breaker bar in there with a deep socket.

I removed the nuts, jacked the engine up and removed the mounts from the engine. I also had to remove the oil filter to remove/install the new mount on that side.