So I have been looking closely at the exhaust system lately, prompted by the crumbling manifold gasket [see pic].... and some leaky exhaust sounding noises ...

In preparation for removing the manifold, I am doing the mutli day PB Blaster soaking routine, and looking over everything real good. Made the following discoveries:

1)manifold to header pipe has a loose nut [outboard & forward side}
2]manifold to header pipe has a missing nut [inboard side]
3)header pipe bracket not attached to header pipe [good bell housing attachment]
4)space between the 2 header pipe tubes at the bracket is only wide enough for a 5mm bolt to pass down between the tubes [bolt hole in bracket measures 9mm, for an 8mm bolt I guess....]
5)I need a STRONG 5mm x 2 3/4 in bolt to get the header pipe attached to the bracket [I'm guessing this will eventually break, but at least it will hold up the header pipe when i pull the exh manifold]

So to quote Rosanne Roseannadanna "If it isn't one thing, it's another, but it's always something"

So with gaskets, studs & nuts arriving any day now, and sunny skies forecast for the weekend, I'll be spending the better part of it under the car....uggh

Well on teh brighter side of things, I guess these exhaust leaks will change the O2 sensor signal for the better and help things fun better ???

Soooo..... do you all have any time saving, knuckle saving tips for me ????

TIA,
John