At first I thought I had a muffler hole that was making a typical exhaust noise. But upon examination I felt air escaping at the flange joint where the exhaust manifold connects to the exhaust pipe. With considerable difficulty I cranked the nuts off. This is a location that seems to require two nuts on each of 3 studs. After lubricating the assembly I tightened the flange considerably more than it had been. I am not aware if there is a gasket at this location, or whether it was present, but I just tightened the assembly.

When I started the car I still heard a noise. This time I did a more thorough investigation of the exhaust system with my hands and on top of the pipe that exits the front muffler, in a hard to reach location I found that pipe was partially detached. I made a temporary plug with butyl rubber and soon thereafter replaced the entire exhaust from the catalytic converter back through the tail pipe.

It looked beautiful, Tasca sends those double strap clamps that make the job look un-professional, if you know what I mean.

After that I started the car and the noise was different but still there. The obvious muffler noise was gone, but there was a low growling hum issuing forth from underneath the car and I couldn't figure out what it was from. I still can't but there is one symptom that might provide a clue. After driving so the engine was hot, I opened the hood and saw smoke issuing forth from the exact area of the exhaust pipe to manifold connection.

Can someone tell me more about this connection. I recall a reference to a gasket, but I might be mistaken about that.

Oh, and the sound is considerably more pronounced on acceleration.

Bob Franklin