'98 F150, 4.6L
I'll keep it short. My father and I thought we had an exhaust leak, we removed the right side exhaust manifold and replaced it about 10 times doing various things. Come to find out, it is most likely the head gasket leaking compression gases right under the exhaust manifold. No coolant in the oil, no oil in coolant. No funny exhaust smells or anything abnormal other than that squeaking you hear from an exhaust leak. Is there anything I can do for a short term fix. We don't have time to get around to this repair for another 5-6 weeks with our weekends being busy. RESTORE sealer or something I can do for now?
Thanks for your help.

 

...No coolant in the oil, no oil in coolant. No funny exhaust smells or anything abnormal other than that squeaking you hear from an exhaust leak...


Really... just a squeak huh. That's unusual. Anyway, I'd be remiss if I didn't suggest you do a compress check to be sure cuz that sounds kinda odd. But anyway, the answer is no. There isn't anything you can do but replace the head gasket. But if it is a blown head gasket, I sure wouldn't drive it for 5-6 weeks like that. It will only get worse, possibly stranding you and who knows what else.

 

Doesn't sound like a blown head gasket to me. You would def smell it, also the oil/coolant would be mixed.

Do a compression check though

 

Update: We broke down the engine and took the right head off. This is a picture of what we found. You can really feel a groove in the metal gasket. The head was slightly warped in that area. We measured 0.003". The repair manual says to have it milled if it exceeds 0.004".
Threw everything back together and it's running great now.

 

Yup, that's definitely a blown gasket. Don't think I've ever seen one blown quite that way though. Missed the water jacket completely! Huh... Well anyway, good job!