Replaced Exhaust Manifold
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Replaced Exhaust Manifold
I was late for a meeting Friday night.. stuck in local traffic so I opted for a back road. I just got on it.. feeling pretty good when I hit a dip in the road.. bottomed out and changed my cracked exhaust manifold into a broken in two exhaust manifold. Changed it over this weekend and wanted to share what I found.. So far, this was the biggest piece of work I've done on my car so far and a fun project for those of you contemplating doing it.
I sprayed everything with PB Blaster on warm bolts and let it sit over night. Next morning I loosend all the manifold to block bolts which to my surprise was extreamly easy.. The toughest part was removing the AC support braket which mounts to the first exhaust manifold bolt. Exhaust manifold bolt came out fine but the one in the front of the engine just wouldn't budge.. which I found out also holds the water pump.. I think.. It's in a tight place to work. I put a pipe on the end of my socket wrench and could move it about 3 clicks at a time. I loosend it just enouch to move the bracket. Everything else came out and went back together like butter. The front Y pipe is about 1/2 inch too long but I was able to move it enough to line up with the manifold.. If I knew what I was doing I would break and reweld the connector to have a perfect fit... but for now it was OK.. I put everything back together.. started her up.. sounds great.. BUT I see water dripping... then gushing... I'm under the car trying to see what I broke when I remembered the front PIA bracket bolt. I tried to tighen it but when it didn't move by hand I thought it was tight enough. WRONG.. I got the socket and pipe back on the bolt and click by click I'm waitting for the bolt to snap. Started her up and she's still dripping. Decided to go for a ride to blow out any standing water around the engine or tranny from the gushing experience. Came back.. everything dry.. Only one problem.. I miss the sound.. The car is just too quiet now! :)
Anyone looking to do this work and has questions.. don't hesitate to ask..
I sprayed everything with PB Blaster on warm bolts and let it sit over night. Next morning I loosend all the manifold to block bolts which to my surprise was extreamly easy.. The toughest part was removing the AC support braket which mounts to the first exhaust manifold bolt. Exhaust manifold bolt came out fine but the one in the front of the engine just wouldn't budge.. which I found out also holds the water pump.. I think.. It's in a tight place to work. I put a pipe on the end of my socket wrench and could move it about 3 clicks at a time. I loosend it just enouch to move the bracket. Everything else came out and went back together like butter. The front Y pipe is about 1/2 inch too long but I was able to move it enough to line up with the manifold.. If I knew what I was doing I would break and reweld the connector to have a perfect fit... but for now it was OK.. I put everything back together.. started her up.. sounds great.. BUT I see water dripping... then gushing... I'm under the car trying to see what I broke when I remembered the front PIA bracket bolt. I tried to tighen it but when it didn't move by hand I thought it was tight enough. WRONG.. I got the socket and pipe back on the bolt and click by click I'm waitting for the bolt to snap. Started her up and she's still dripping. Decided to go for a ride to blow out any standing water around the engine or tranny from the gushing experience. Came back.. everything dry.. Only one problem.. I miss the sound.. The car is just too quiet now! :)
Anyone looking to do this work and has questions.. don't hesitate to ask..
