Need recommendation for exhaust manifold

[Machete]

Starting to make “da noise” after 1200 mi heavy trailer tow from Illinois to Florida.

What’s the best maker that includes gasket and hardware?

Is their a upgrade available for the studs?

Thank you.

 

[Trainmaster]

Motorcraft. Avoid the Chinese aftermarket Dorman junk. Dorman sells stainless studs, but I can't see any advantage and you can't drill 'em out if they break.

There's also a drilling guide tool sold on ebay that lines up your drill to get the broken studs out of the head.

Again, stay away from the Chinese knock-offs of the tool too, which seem to have flooded ebay. The China ones simply don't work and just look real.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Exhaust-Ma...epid=0&hash=item28972015e1:g:i38AAOSwmaBe~ClT

Not too bad a job if you have patience and real tools.

I'm sure others will have good advice.

 

[Killer Ride]

Stage 8 makes stainless locking ones. They are really good. If anything happens to mine with regards to the exhaust I will be putting in a set of JBA shortys direct fit, and equal length runners = 15 extra hp. A little pricey but they have hp gains built right into them

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[Machete]

Motorcraft. Avoid the Chinese aftermarket Dorman junk. Dorman sells stainless studs, but I can't see any advantage and you can't drill 'em out if they break.

There's also a drilling guide tool sold on ebay that lines up your drill to get the broken studs out of the head.

Again, stay away from the Chinese knock-offs of the tool too, which seem to have flooded ebay. The China ones simply don't work and just look real.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Exhaust-Ma...epid=0&hash=item28972015e1:g:i38AAOSwmaBe~ClT

Not too bad a job if you have patience and real tools.

I'm sure others will have good advice.

The MC are not available for both banks and are ridiculously expensive. They are all made in China unfortunately. I purchased the ATP's. I will have them polished up to ensure smoothness and minimize cylinder to cylinder variances. Maybe even polish the ports.

 

[Machete]

Thinking further I have a machine shop near me Im thinking of having them polish the inside of the ports to remove the nubs and make sure all the ports are smoothed out.

Would this help reduce cylinder variation?

 

[Trainmaster]

These were very helpful in taking off the nuts. Good tool to have in your collection when you need it.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-BOLT...F7H3-xB5LNVbWcy3kAxoCy3wQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Wal92tt]

OEM from Ford is what I used last year. It was ridiculously cheap, $79.51!!! Part # XL3Z9430GA, FOR MY '99 EB 5.4 4x4.
I used these bolts from Metric Screw & Toll Company off Ebay. From my research, they make excellent bolts and such. I only paid $7.99 for the kit! They're now even cheaper, $7.14!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-4-6-5...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649


I don't remember which gasket I used though....
Go OEM on the manifold, especially how low it costs!

 

[mnachreiner86]

We did some cheapos/hardware from Rock Auto on a 97 f150 4.6 and they held fine. That was 6 years ago[emoji2373]


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