'08f150stx

Intriguing....Does this happen to 4.6's also? With low mileage it might be proactive to swap out for JBA shorty's.

lx4life

I dont know if you got your answer but what I did when I replaced my pass side mainfold was unbolt the pass side engine mount then used a jack and raised the engine on that side only, that gave me enough clearance to remove the studs, and you have to remove the starter also, plus the plastic wheel well, i used PB blaster for a couple of days to allow it to soak up a bit it wasnt to bad. I did break one stud then broke an extractor talk about scary but I used a carbine tip drill bit then used a bigger extractor. Good luck.

MattXLT

I haven't heard much for 4.6L issues regarding exhaust. I have been told that the 5.4 tends to warp the passenger side manifold. Not sure if mine is warped yet, but the gasket is pretty well burned up.
After the holidays I plan to tackle the job. It's just been way too cold in my unheated garage the last week or so.
Also... I have a complete set of Stage 8 header bolts I found online. Its almost impossible to find the studs. Even the dealer had to order in from who knows where. But I figured while I'm down there, may as well not put the crappy studs back in and upgrade to the Stage 8. Check them out, they have impressive products and zero failures.

kozal01

iTrader: (2)

thanks everyone for the good info, i might try to tackle this in the spring.

1Aauto

I had an exhaust manifold break on an 89 Bronco I had. I ended up putting long tube headers on it,and those things leaked at the collectors every six months. It was a huge pain.

If anyone's in a jamb we carry a ton of exhaust manifolds with a limited lifetime warranty for all kinds of vehicles. Here's a link to the F150 Exhaust Manifold section if anyone would like to see what we have.

snowshredder555

I've had my headers on now for about 3 years now...I was fortunate enough that I was able to do the job myself then take it down to JBA's retail shop near San Diego and have them rack it and double check my work...I did this because I kept hearing what sounded to me to be an exhaust leak...after spending the whole morning there (and $95.00 later) they assured me the noise was because of the 3rd valve in the engine and the thickness of the exhaust tubes. Now, I've been spinning wrenches since I was 11 (now36) and I really didn't like there answer so I took to my local FORD dealership. Had them check it out for a day and when I came to pick the truck up they told me they couldn't find a leak at all...just needed to straighten the exhaust pipe routing a little bit...I still wasn't convinced so I asked them to rack it and let me hear for myself...they used a device that checked for carbon leaks electronicly and a stethiscope. We fiddled with this for a little over an hour and I couldn't find a leak at all. The service manager and my father had become friends because of the multiple FORDs he's owned and wanting the "stealership" to do all the work to be "factory tech" work...so he was cool with the time I took. Case closed for the install, with no leaks....

About a year later I started noticing an exhaust tick coming from the truck that wasn't normal..ignored it for about 3 months before I decided to do anything about it...took it to a shop I trust to have them replace the flange gaskets...turns out the drivers side had warped and started burning the gasket...$400..00 later and the problem was solved...at least for the time being. Now 2 years later and the drivers side is leaking more than ever...

You figure with a 3/8 flange and a warranty that guarntees against flange warping, that it wouldn't warp. My experience with headers is more than the average joe but not as much as some others. But I've had the headers I've installed on other vehicles milled at the flange to insure a flush mount and tight seal...all of those haven't had an exhaust leak when taken through the proper heat cycles and then retourqed...but the JBA's have. My soultion now is to take both headers to a local machine shop and have them grind the sealing rings from around each port and then machine the surface area flush...hopefully this will eliminate any of the issues I've experienced with these headers.

As far as the power gain...it's there.
The install took me the weekend to do...really took my time and went slow and steady. And "YES" you have to remove the starter, unbolt the passenger engine mount and raise the engine up about 1.5 inches to gain access to the bolts...becareful on automatics not to bend the dipstick tube...I've heard of this happening before and the techs at the JBA retail store brought this up in our conversation so I felt compeled to mention it here.

Sorry for the long post.
-Ted

creative1

I took my 04 SCREW in for a quote on the notorious exhaust leak problem and come to find out both manifolds are warped and need to be replaced including all studs and bolts. My friends dad works at the dealership and is giving me the best deal he can but it still totals at $1,100.00 with a one year warranty. Should I go with it or just take it to a muffler shop and have them machine the manifolds to save some money???

snowshredder555

Depends on your level of experience and what you're comfortable with doing. I can have the drivers side out in a bit over an hour and the passenger side in about 2.5 hours. But I've done this a couple of times already, so please bare that in mind. As far as the studs and bolts are concerned, there required to be replaced...sorry, recommended. My headers will actually be seeing a machine shop...not a muffler guy. I didn't know a muffler shop could mill a flat surface perfectly square? Guess it depends on how its set up and the person performing the work. Any how, a "machine shop" will be more accurate in general to perform a square, even and flat surface. That's how I'll be doing it....something about the whole X,Y or what ever else those CNC machines are capable of.

Nice Sweater

Ok so this is the 3rd thread about exhaust manifolds. I can't say how gay it is (not that people keep posting but that the manifolds on the F-150s are TRASH). I replaced mine in march and I can't say enough how gay it was. But on a better note, hope yours isn't as bad as mine (and if you don't have one yet, then hope you don't get one).

StonedGreen

I took it to my guy to install everything. right now I think I have a leak again, but he told me its the lifters. I have an appointment @ ford to confirm whats up. If its a manifold leak i'll be soo pissed!!! It's ticking pretty bad now.

I might have to get new gaskets and mill the headers.

Yeah these heads are aluminum, but we used anti-seize