Ok, so I *finally* got around to working on my Header gaskets (doesn't
taking classes just suck?!!??! :-))
So anyway, decided to start on the passenger side first, since that looked
like the easier side to do, and was the one they indicated was blown. With
a combination of open ends and sockets, universal sockets, etc, I got them
all off except 1 nut on the rear stud. Only thing I could tell was the
nut/washer was pushing up against the header pipe.. Even with pulling back
on the pipe, it still didn't want to come, was very difficult to turn...
So, I jack up the truck to go to where the headers connect, and the first
bolt/nut I tried, I just couldn't turn. Plus, the other 2 looked very
difficult to get to. So I look at where the Y-pipe connects to the rest of
the exhaust, and that looks a lot easier to get to. Since I know there's
going to be 3 bolts total, I reach to see how difficult it will be to get
the 2 more difficult bolts. Lo and behold, there not there, only the bottom
one is.. oookkk.. I reach for that one, and it's waaaaayy loose.. Hmmmm,
ok, well, that would explain some of my exhause leak. So I pull the bolt
out, and oohhh there's 1/3rd of the gasket. Rest of the gasket was gone.
Well, back up top to finish taking off the header, and the nut is turning,
but doesn't look like it's coming off... Then a light comes on... the Stud
is turning with it.. oh great! So I take a break, once my brother gets back
with my car, I head up to advance auto. After doing some scavanging with a
very very nice clerk, manage to find some bolts that match up good. Also
picked up 2 sets of gaskets for the Y-pipe.. regular type (Mr. Gasket) and
a metal gasket. Anyway, get back home, I use the metal gasket for the
Y-pipe, I'm able to put 2 of the bolts/nuts on (might be able to get the 3rd
on tomorrow). Put all the bolts back into the headers. I cannot do
anything at all with the nut on the stud that turns. So, I start it up, and
it's a LOT QUIETER!!! woohoo! Looks like it wasn't the header gasket after
all, just the gasket on the Y-pipe. Test drive went pretty smooth.. Didn't
feel quite as peppy as it use to, but I reset the computer, so it's still
learning. However, 2 or 3 times, When I would slam down the accellerator, I
would hear a popping sound. Hard to describe it, not really a backfire or
anything like that, and not metal popping either.. Well, we'll see about
that.
2 questions:
1) Anything I can do much about this nut/stud on the headers? I'm going to
make sure the rest of them are tight again in the morning before I do any
driving, just to make sure.. Seriously doubt any type of pliers will get a
good enough grip on the stud for me to be able to turn the nut...
2) Thoughts on using the metal gasket? Yeah, they're not suppose to blow,
is there any drawbacks to them?
Ken Allgood
97 CC SLT 5.2L
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