Ok, I have been fighting with ways to quiet my exhaust leak... I will tighten up the bolts and it will sound good for a little while. and slowly get worse again.. I have temporarly parked my subie in favor of my new 91 Accord. (yes I know two months at a honda dealership got me.) and I'm gonna try to get some of the uncomfortables fixed... and maybe do the five speed swap and rebuild the carb.... And Paint.... Definatly paint. hey and my 800th post two.!!

 

Yes I have used the search function... I have tried it all... any new suggestions... I'm thinking fab up some keepers like the old ford 352 Keepers for the exhaust. and some lock washers?

Make sure the y-pipe to mid-pipe lead donut is in place and the proper spring loaded bolts are being used for that interface - it's designed to allow movement, but the sping & bolt setup often gets replaced when people can't get an old donut to seal, or they are cut off because of rust.

 

Make sure that the rear y-pipe hanger is present and firmly attached to the transmision. You can use a peice of rubber between the pipe bracket and the mounting bracket to allow some flex.

 

Use only OEM gaskets for the exhaust port flanges. Use the specified torque values using new stainless steel nuts, lock washers, and flat washers, and NEVER let the exhaust hang from the studs as it stresses the threads in the head.

 

If you need to you can tap the holes in the heads over to 7/16x20 and use studs of that size.

 

If you clean it all up and attach it correctly it should never come loose or leak.

 

GD

If you need to you can tap the holes in the heads over to 7/16x20 and use studs of that size.

How about 7/16x14? My local auto parts didn't have any 7/16x20 studs in stock at all so I got the 7/16x14 instead. Seems like the course thread might do a bit better in the soft Aluminium...

I actually used a HELP! kit for a toyota exhaust manifold and took a tap set and retaped the holes for it and the studs stay in place I am just having problems keeping the nuts on, I'm gonna try a few things cause I'm probably gonna pull the motor.... and reseal the sucker, while doing a 5 spd swap.

If your cat is plugged, it will burn out the gaskets, then the nuts will come loose.

No Cat, Some replaced it long ago with a y pipe.