Charlie86GT50

2000 F150
So heres my problem, i've owned a '00 and and '02 f150 both 5.4L. with the 2000 some of the manifold bolts were snapped off so i bought edlebrock ceramic coated shorty headers. I installed them and under load it sounded like tapping almost like and exhaust leak, so i pulled the inner fender well and re tightened all the bolts once they were warm checked collector nuts and EGR bung, no change ehaust leak sound was still there could never get it fixed. owned this truck for 6 years eventually sold it for a 2002 supercrew.

2002 F150
Same scenario OEM manifold studs snapped off here and there so i figured i'd try it again. bought a sent of pace setter header thinking maybe it was just a manufacturing issue. installed these about a month ago and from day 1 same issue sounds like exhaust leak checked all the same stuff and no change.

Are the headers just a thin gauge material and you can hear the valve train? and i cant see that the heads would be warped on both trucks? I'm about the go to ford and buy factory manifolds and put back on i cant stand the sound. By the way new stud bolts and gaskets were installed in both applications.

both trucks were very well maintained so i know its not an engine or valvetrain issue. 2000 had 85,000 miles on it when i sold it and my 2002 currently have only 75,000 miles on it.

Any advice?

Sorry for the novel guys but i wanted to explain as thoroughly and with as much detail as i could.

Charlie86GT50

Forgot to tell you, at idle it sounds good and normal, its only under load or acceleration that you can hear it. With windows up and if you next to a jersey wall with the windows down. VERY NOTICEABLE!

Tonelocs47

What kind of gaskets did you use? That happenend to me and i couldnt figure out the problem for the longest time and it was pissin me off so i changed the gaskets with some good copper ones, tightened the bolts up, let it run for 15 mins, let it cool for a lil then retightend all the bolts and i have zero leaks now. and if u want extra reausurrance that youll never have a leak again replace your header bolts with some nice stage 8 locking bolts.

Charlie86GT50

I'm pretty sure they were just the cork ones. I'll have better results with copper?

nath1142

Look up a headers gasket company remflex. Very good gaskets!

udderbrudder

Thanks for posting this. I plan on shorties for mine. So is it actually an exhaust leak or do the headers just sound that way. If they're leaking, you should be able to see a bit of black around the ports. Curious to find out more before I buy a set.

Charlie86GT50

I didn't see any black carbon anywhere. I even put my hand as close to the headers and I didn't feel anything. If u decide to get a pair I'm probably going to be selling these. They have roughly 500 miles on them if your interested

udderbrudder

LOL! I'd like to learn more about this issue first. If it's gonna be a problem I'' stick with manifolds.

Charlie86GT50

So can anyone recommend somewhere to buy copper gaskets and good studs. If I go to a parts house around here they'll probably charge me an arm and a leg

gixxer1127

had a similar issue with borla headers years ago, take the headers to a machine shop and get them milled true ao eliminate that variable