Re: exhaust leaks?

["jtrealtywebspannet" <jtrealty@xxxx>]

The best and safest way I have found over the years when working on 
exhaust systems is to always remove the parts with an acetalyne torch. 
Heat the nut or bolt up to light cherry red, let cool back to gray 
and they screw right out. The only times I have broken bolts is when I 
try to use sprays or do it cold. The biggest problems with heat is to 
avoid damaging surrounding parts, safety and the occasional time the 
stud comes out with the threads (usually in aluminum) but it probably 
would have broken off anyway and it's easy to retap with an insert. A 
torch is not for use by the faint-of-heart so if you aren't 
experienced with it save it for the professionals. The money spent 
here will save a lot of broken parts. Maybe you can make them a deal 
just to take it apart and let you reassemble. On jobs like this most 
shops won't flat-rate. There is no way of knowing what is involved so 
they will want to do it based on time and standard labor rates. A 
really good guy can probably get it apart in around 2 hours.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757


--- In dmcnews@xxxx, "Casey Putsch" <chaparral2a002@xxxx> wrote:
> I am about as sure as I can be I have an exhaust leak in the area of 
the 
> right manifold or crossover pipe. However, I have no idea where it 
is coming 
> from, I can't find any black exhaust deposites or see or feel 
anywhere that 
> air is excaping form the system. I even put my hands over the pipes 
a little 
> to increase back pressure to see if the tick would get louder and I 
do not 
> notice it change at all.? With a mechanics stethescope I hear the 
ticking 
> noise most prevelent on the crossover pipe next to the right 
manifold. Does 
> the crossover pipe ever crack and leak. Also, I am probally going to 
have to 
> pay someone to take the manifolds off and replace the gaskets etc, 
do any of 
> you know about how much I'd get charged for such a job? Also, those 
studs 
> and nuts have been on there for 20 years, I can't beleive they would 
come 
> off with out breaking. Anyway, I'd just like it if anyone out there 
had some 
> advice for me in this area.
> 
> Sincerely, Casey at chaparral2a002@xxxx
> 
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