Exhaust gasket and manifold removal questions

[ssmason85]

Hi all, I wanted to confirm if a gasket is needed where the manifolds meet the Y pipe. I can't seem to find online and this diagram I came across says NR. Does this stand for not required?

Lastly, any tips on removing the manifolds? I got a small leak on the passenger side and I wouldn't be surprised if gaskets were never installed on this truck (98' 4.0 V6 auto). I've been applying PB blaster to the bolts the last few days. Is it best to remove the wheels to get em' off? I purchased felpro gaskets, should I use some silicone?

Any tips or pointers are greatly appreciated!

 

[55trucker]

No gaskets in place, the flanges are a *ball & socket*,

don't be surprised if you can't get the 4 bolts free without a *hot wrench* & possibly having to cut the bolts to get the pipes down & then weld on nuts to the remaining *studs* & turn them out while heating the flange area.

I just went thru this *pain-in-the-ass* situation, seeing as my crossover had never been removed before three weeks ago the bolts were *petrified* into place & would not turn out. I had to run a tap up into the flange threads to clean them up so the new studs would screw in easily. The Dorman replacement kit is a stud/nut arrangement.

 

[ssmason85]

Yikes, that sounds rough! I've switched my focus to the lower intake manifold gasket for now, but plan to pick up this project up right after.

I too came across some petrified bolts and unfortunately my whole exhaust system seems to be in the same condition. I got a sawzall but thinking about getting a multi tool for more accuracy.

 

[Denisefwd93]

We used stainless steel bolts with nuts by drilling through the flange on my other cars anybody done that on these? seems like a good solution considering how often we have to take things apart on these trucks LOL

 

[adsm08]

Don't be afraid of breaking the Y-pipe bolts, be afraid of breaking them flush. Once you have the manifolds out they are easy to extract with a torch and a jaw extractor.

Use copper, not red, copper RTV on the gaskets.