Concerns after header/H pipe install...

[gtvertsoon]

Hey guys, I'm so psyched! Just got done my MAC longtube/catted H pipe install. A couple friends helped me out at the naval base I work at, so we had a lift and tons of tools to work with. We decided not to touch the K-member and I kinda regret it because it took 13 hrs (8hrs yesterday, 5 hrs today). Still, I didn't mess up my suspension so I don't need an alignment. Only casualties of the install were some sore knees and a dented oil pan (um yeah, better brace that oil pan if you use it as a jack point for the motor).

When we finished, everything was back together minus one nut on the headers that was impossible to get to. Its the top nut on the rear most runner, passenger side. I could hardly get the nut on the stud let alone get a wrench in there to tighten it. We figured one bolt wouldn't matter so we said screw it. Also, I haven't received my o2 sensor extensions yet for the longtubes, so I disconnected the sensors and just screwed them in the headers to plug up the holes. I knew I would have a check engine light so thats normal, but I'm hearing a ticking noise coming somewhere from the passenger side. It sounds to me like an exhaust leak (praying its not the header) but I'm thinking its just because of the missing o2 sensors. When I start the car and idle and rev it, there is no ticking, but after driving around for a minute or 2, the ticking starts. I'll be getting the extensions later this week so I'm hoping this solves the problem. Any ideas or suggestions?? Thanks.

Oh yeah, and the MAC longtube fitment seems great (knock on wood!). Doesn't touch any part of the chassis or the steering shaft so thats good. The MAC catted H didn't fit that great, but finally went on. Sound is amazing with my Flowmaster 40 series mufflers. Can't wait to get some magnapacs for a real kickass sound

 

[forpit2000gt]

probably leaking where the bolt is not installed. You need all the bolts. It is a PITA.

 

[03gtmustang]

Yep, its because that bolt is missing.

 

[ToplessStang]

Wish I could give you hope but they're right, it's the nut .

 

[gtvertsoon]

Wow, I appreciate your opinions guys. Just the answer I didn't want I guess I'll wait til I get the extensions to try to do anything, see if it makes a diff. If not, guess its back to the drawing board. Any insight onto how to get to the nut?? It's pretty much hopeless unless I can take out the intake and get it from the top Man it sounds like crap...

 

[03gtmustang]

Just drop the k member man. Next time you jack up the engine from the oil pan put a block of wood between the pan and jack.

 

[gtvertsoon]

Yeah, I guess we shoulda dropped the K member in the first place but we just didn't feel like messing up the suspension and steering and all that. I really wanna get this fixed, but it means more money for the lift and garage space. I don't wanna drop the K member for one damn bolt, do you think there is a way to get to it from the top if I take off the intake? It's gotta be just that one nut. I don't wanna take the header back off either because it hardly went in there in the first place. I'm hating myself/car right now...

 

[94opalgt]

if you drive it with out that nut on there you will be pulling the header back off to replace the the gasket.

 

[jstreet0204]

if you drive it with out that nut on there you will be pulling the header back off to replace the the gasket.

Yep, it will burn that spot for sure. I wouldn't drive it much without the o2's hooked up anyway. The car will run in limp mode but it isn't going to run well.

 

[gtvertsoon]

Nobody thinks the noise is coming from the o2's not being hooked up? The car runs perfectly fine from what I can tell, pulls harder and everything. My extensions are shipping out today so I'll have them installed later this week. I really hope thats the problem.

Oh, and the gaskets on there are metal, is it really gonna burn it that bad? The gap can't be very big and a friend of mine thinks that it will eventually get filled up with carbon. Any opinions on how to get to that nut?

 

[03gtmustang]

All your getting is extensions, but the actual 02's are screwed into the headers. If Im correct then no thats not the problem, its from the missing bolt. You might be able to get to it from the top, if not then drop the k member. And you wont mess up the steering or suspension by dropping the k.

 

[gtvertsoon]

I know that all I'm getting are extensions, but right now, my front o2 sensors aren't plugged into the car at all. They are only screwed into the header to prevent 2 big holes in the exhaust. The part that plugs in is just zip tied to the transmission. That might be a reason why my car sounds funny. I think I'm gonna try getting it from the top or drilling a hole in the metal to get a ratchet extension thru if the o2's don't fix it.

 

[03gtmustang]

The 02's arent the problem man.

 

[z1n]

I think he thinks the sensors not hooked up (talking to computer)are making the car sound like its leaking (from computer error) and not leaking from an actual exhaust leak at the point it screws into the pipes.

I spliced my rear Sensors and added some wire to them to reach. Used shrink tube and soilder. looks good not crappy and does the job. I only did this though because I failed to do enough research on mid pipe installls and found myself with an xpipe and error code after install and couldnt wait for the mils extender. doh

 

[forpit2000gt]

If you want to fix it right, You don't want to hear this, I know.......

Drop the K-member, remove the header, clean head, replace gasket, reinstall header with all nuts. Do it the right way or have the problem. If this noise wasn't the problem( but it is ) it would be in time without the header tightened.
metal gaskets get burned, heads end up with damage because of header leaks.

 

[gtvertsoon]

Is the entire passenger side of the engine exposed with the k member removed? It seems to me that even if I removed the K member, it would be insanely hard to get to the top bolts on the passenger side header. I'm just not looking forward to tearing my car apart again and redoing a bunch of work I already did. I knew we shoulda worked harder on that damn nut. Live and learn I guess. Looks like it'll be another long weekend at the shop. Shoulda just got someone to put it in for me since I'm paying to use the lift. Oh hey, how do you brace the engine so it doesn't fall out when you take out the k member?? The car is gonna be up on a lift so I can't really get a cherry picker in there unless the car is really low. The shop had a jack that was for transmissions or something that went up from like 3 ft to 4.5 ft, guess I should use that. Do I really have to replace the gasket even if it is the stock metal gasket? Wouldn't think that would burn up (but I didn't think a missing header nut would cause a problem either...)

 

[forpit2000gt]

gasket may be ok, if you had the leak again, would you kick yourself for not replacing the gasket? Do it one time and do it right, even if it hurts. The gasket may be fine forever, maybe not?

 

[03gtmustang]

Your not too far from me...

 

[gtvertsoon]

BTW, just for the record, what does an exhaust leak sound like?? The noise I have sounds like my boss's old ford pickup, like a ticking that gets higher with RPMs. Also, you can only hear it in certain RPMs. Its really noticable at like 1500-1800 and when I downshift into 4th over 50mph to slow down. I'm hoping its nothing major in the engine. Extensions should be coming soon so maybe that will help something. Might have to take another shot at that bolt this weekend.

 

[03gtmustang]

When your driving down the road put the car in a gear up from where it should be, so the rpms are below 2,000, then floor it, youll hear the leak.