That sounds like a stupid question, but I haver a custom exhaust, and I don't know if i can explain it good enough, but I have a flanged type fitting between my header (old ford 3800 header modified) and the exhaust pipe. It is almost like a male and female fitting, and it looks like it doesn't need a gasket, but I have such a bad exhaust tick it is driving me nuts!
Is there some type of donut gasket or something that is used on those type of exhaust connections? Thanks!
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08:54 AM
PFF
System Bot
Pyrthian Member
Posts: 29569 From: Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2002
a tick is usually at the specific port leaking, not at a pipe, which has multiple exhaust pulses - but - anyways - I rarely see gaskets along them kind of joints. but, I often use RTV Copper on these kind of joints for added seal
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09:04 AM
jetman Member
Posts: 7806 From: Sterling Heights Mich Registered: Dec 2002
The V-6 engines that I've worked on had a donut ring (gasket) between the Y-pipe and the down pipe. There was no gasket from the exhaust manifold to the Y-pipe as that connection had the male female set up to allow some flex.
Edit....
Found a picture for you. Does it have a male fitting like this?
Those male female fittings usually seal up nicely, have you tried a mechanics stephascope to issolate the ticking noise?
[This message has been edited by jetman (edited 11-16-2009).]
Hate to bring it up,but more than likely you've got a hole in the manifold. We used to have those headers laying all over the shop we changed so many.
The mustang 3.8's leaked at the header ports all the time,we just replaced them. I can't remember offhand that particuler one,but most ford header/manifold's don't use a gasket.
(And fords aren't 3800's. They are just referred to as 3.8's.)
[This message has been edited by DefEddie (edited 11-16-2009).]
Thanks for the replys, the header which is off a ford 3.8 (Not 3800, thanks) had a crack in it, which i had welded, then I had them planed down so they should be fitting to the head with no problems, but that doesn't mean that it's not leaking there. I just assumed that I should check the next thing that I didn't replace, which would be that male/female fitting.
That picture does look similar to what I have, but still a little different. It is the same concept though.
If the header is my problem, what other options would you suggest? I believe we went that route in the first place so we wouldn't have to interfere with the transmission linkage (4spd). Is there another header or manifold that is made for that motor that will dump out down towards the ground?
The trick is to identify exactly where the exhaust leak is coming from then go from there. If you don't have a mechanics stephascope how about a section of rubber hose to listen for leaks. Although it's a tight fit around headers, a mechanics trouble mirror will work to help inspect for cracks. Girlfriends make up compact with mirror will work too, don't get it greasy, GF's don't appreciate that at all.
well ijust had the headers welded. i know for a fact that there are no cracks, and the header was plained down so in theory i should not have a leak around the manifold. this is why i suspect that i might need a donut gasket... i guess i don't know until i try.
what other options do i have for headers if i want to switch?
This style header does not use an exhaust gasket,it seals to the flange. If the flange is leaking,simply loosen up the bolts-reseat it and tighten them down again. Spin both sides down fairly evenly,dont just power down one side at a time. How do you know for a fact there are no cracks?
[This message has been edited by DefEddie (edited 11-17-2009).]
Here's a better look at the same manifold and the reason for it's R&R. See the light shining through? These can also get pinholes,which more what Iwould look for. Look for the carbon tracing,should be black/sooty where the exhaust is escaping.
