pipe connected to the exhaust manifold won't seal properly

[coleboy11]

85 2.3 liter ranger

I found a crack in my exhaust manifold and replaced it with a spare I had. While removing the spare manifold from the old pipe at the flange, a bolt broke. Since I couldn't remove the broken bolt successfully, I drilled a hole through it so I could just use a bolt and a nut. Now I cant get the pipe and the manifold to seal properly and it leaks badly there. I have called many muffler shops to see if they could weld the pipe straight to the manifold but I get the same answer which is NO Any suggestions for what to do next would be great.

 

[Mark_88]

Are you talking about where the exhaust manifold meets the down pipe?

Not really sure where the broken bolt is/was...I know you can buy flanges and have them welded to the down pipe but not sure exactly what you need. Any chance you could take a picture of the problem?

 

[coleboy11]

Yes Mark, it's where the manifold meets the down pipe. So one of the two bolts holding the manifold to the downpipe by the flange broke off inside the manifold bolt hole. I couldn't get it out, so I drilled a hole through it and now I am using a bolt and nut instead of the original exhaust bolt. I cant take a picture right now unless I take my computer outside and use the webcam (or park my truck in the living room). It looks like there is no Gap at the joint, but I never saw any sort of gasket or anything.. I wish somebody would just weld it to the manifold for me but the shops seem skiddish for some reason.

 

[shane96ranger]

Yes Mark, it's where the manifold meets the down pipe. So one of the two bolts holding the manifold to the downpipe by the flange broke off inside the manifold bolt hole. I couldn't get it out, so I drilled a hole through it and now I am using a bolt and nut instead of the original exhaust bolt. I cant take a picture right now unless I take my computer outside and use the webcam (or park my truck in the living room). It looks like there is no Gap at the joint, but I never saw any sort of gasket or anything.. I wish somebody would just weld it to the manifold for me but the shops seem skiddish for some reason.

It probably wouldn't turn out too hot. Isn't your manifold cast?

Either way... I have a bent pipe that was leaking on my Mustang, and for a quick fix I just went to Autozone and got a Felpro exhaust gasket (the silver lead type) and put it in there. It worked awesome.

 

[coleboy11]

Was the gasket just generic or specifically for your mustang? Sounds like a good idea to me...

 

[coleboy11]

Ah okay I just looked it up on Oreilly's website and it looks like the shape of the flange, but my flange is the type that doesnt actually come in contact with the manifold;

 

[shane96ranger]

I just went in and asked to look through their gaskets. Some of the employees let you go back and go through everything.

 

[CKRobin]

have you tried to wrap it with exhaust tape? J.B. Weld? or maybe it means it is time for headers?

 

[coleboy11]

Headers sound nice! Well, I took it to my friends at the Muff Shop today and they said it wasn't leaking at the joint I fixed. He patched up a couple of small holes with a welder, but that terrible racket is still present under a fair load. I really don't know what to think, except that I will probably just get headers when I get a little money.

As for the JB weld, exhaust is about the only place I haven't used JB weld on my truck, and not sure how that would turn out. I may in fact try some exhaust tape, though!

 

[Mark_88]

I used something on my Zuki a few years back...think it was called Liquid Metal or something like that (Liquid Weld?) and it sealed up my exhaust manifold where it connected to the down pipe...that worked for about 3 years before I had to go in and patch it again with the same stuff...

It goes on wet and when it hardens you can actually drill it...probably like JB Weld...I have some here but it doesn't have a label on it so I can't give you the exact product name...but it is designed to work on hot metals and the hotter the better...