kingw1701

Hey Guys,

I recently inherited my deceased uncle's 1986 f250 regular cab with a 460 V8 and 4 speed manual transmission.

My question is this: It seems to have an exhaust leak that has symptoms of a cracked exhaust manifold. It's more prominent in fourth gear when accelerating to highway speeds and it seems to get better (less noticable) as the motor gets good and hot (after driving for several minutes and the temp gauge is in the middle of the normal band).

I have only had experience with an old Chevy big block 400 where I had to replace exhaust manifold gaskets every couple of months.

Does this sound like a cracked manifold or does the 460 have manifold gaskets that can be replaced? OR???? does it sound like this truck has fallen victim to the 460 exhaust manifold bolts breaking that I keep reading and hearing about? I would like to get this fixed but my local muffler shop is only interested in replacing the factory manifolds with headers. They say that is the only way to fix the truck. I tend to disagree. I think the truck can be fixed without completely modifying the factory exhaust.

Any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

If you could, please reply to me at my personal email address at
kingw1701@hotmail.com as I don't know how to check to see if this thread has been updated.

Thanks in advance!!!!

Wes

hirem1

I'd really like to see any replies to this thread. I seem to be having a similar problem with my 2004 F250. Thanks for any help.

thefonz

Not sure what your question is. As far as finding the leak, when you first fire it up, feel along the exhaust manifold and feel for the leak. You won't have much time before it gets to hot to touch.

hirem1

Thanks fonz