Exhaust manifold bolts - to remove or not to remove ...

[thefrey]

Yes cold and warm.

What are the chances it sounded something like this?

 

[Rocket Man]

What are the chances it sounded something like this?

Yep. TBH it’s hard to tell the difference between lifter tick and exhaust manifold leak ticking sound.

 

[thefrey]

Yep. TBH it’s hard to tell the difference between lifter tick and exhaust manifold leak ticking sound.

Well, good to know then. I had almost ruled out exhaust leak because it doesn't really resemble an exhaust leak at all IMO. I had heard that the exhaust leak can sound like a lifted tick but I dunno it still breaks my brain. It's sometimes intermittent so I don't know.

I just shoved my phone in the crevasses of my engine and recorded and luckily any missing bolts either fell out or their head sheared off. So hopefully should be able to get them all out. I know what I'm doing next lol. Thank you for the tips

 

[thefrey]

Mine was so bad. I had broken manifold bolts on the rear on both sides. I bought the Dorman clamps and it they did help a lot, but not 100%, because my manifold gaskets were also very worn out. But, they were a good stop-gap until I pulled the engine out.

I still have the two clamps, and you can have them for the cost of shipping and a beer.
View attachment 451240

When I installed the manifolds on my 6.0 I went with stainless manifold studs & nuts instead of bolts.

Appreciate the offer! I will definitely be in touch (with a beer) if I need them

 

[alvocado]

An easy to way to confirm a manifold or downpipe leak is to hook up a shop vac with the exhaust blowing into your tailpipe when the truck is cold. Spray some soapy water around the manifold and downpipe flange. You'll see bubbles if the manifold gasket is bad/not sealing. Mine looked like a bubble bath within seconds and confirmed the leak source.