PJB

My car has a blown header gasket on the passenger side and it makes an annoying ticking noise.
I had the exhaust checked out at Midas Wednesday and they said thats where the leak was coming from but they dont replace header gaskets.

Im taking the car when I go away for the weekend this afternoon and would love to replace the gasket before I go but I dont want it to be a several hour job. Its a big deal Ill replace it when I come back.

Is all I have to do unbolt the header and pull it back and replace the gasket or is there more to it?

bobbyboura

thats is all you have to unbolt the heder and p.lace it and bolt it back up

arens

If you still have the stock exhaust manifolds you can do the replacement with just a basic ratchet and socket set. If you have aftermarket headers you may need a short 7/16" wrench for the front and rear bolts. Either way, if you have the appropriate tools this can be done inside of 30 minutes.

PJB

Nice.
Ive got Ford Racing headers and know I need a 3/8 wrench to get some of the bolts on and off and a 3/8 12 point socket for the rest.

slickshift

Easy


Leave the outer two bolts on, just loosen them up real good, and get the gaskets with slots for the outer two bolts (...ah...I think the blue ones come that way) or cut your own slots in the outer two holes

Then you can slide the gaskets in, and the header is already aligned up

jagman454

Yea its not hard at all, but what I did was i used some RTV to hold the gasket in place just to make it the more easier.

PJB

I just changed the gasket and it was pretty easy but it didnt fix the exhaust leak.
I think it might be where the header meets the X pipe.
Ill have to check that out another day because Im getting ready to leave soon.

Dath

Check the smog hole behind the passenger side head. If you can feel the 'tick' (exhaust pulse) behind the head then you probably need to tighten or replace whatever you used to plug the hole when you smog deleted. Thermactor plugs ($4 ea through summit) is the way to go. 15 minute job tops.

PJB

I dont even know if these heads had smog provisions but thats something to check on.

aode08

car cold, sponge and soapy water easy find, youll see air bubles