I just noticed today that my baby has a crack in the passenger side manifold (inbetween the two cylinders closest to the firewall and runs vertical for about an inch to an inch and a quarter). What kinds options do i have here? aka, approx cost that it would take to get a Ford replacement, or is it just worth going for headers?

Also, before i say some of the symptoms i have been noticing, what would you guys believe that they would be? that way maybe some of the things i have been noticing as of late are because of the manifold crack.

 

This has to be based on knowledge of EFI systems.
A crack could affect the EGR operation because of the type it is and depends on exhaust back pressure.
The OX sensors could be affected from the air infiltration that could cause the sensors to run the fuel richer that it should and causing poor fuel milage from the average stock performance.
A crack also could be an indication of a cracked head if cooling system faults show up. Water loss, cylinder missfire, excessive water out the tail pipe, water in the oil etc.
Exhaust noise at the crack.
I have been there several times with other Ford engines.
The problem IMO is the design of the exhaust manifold. It amounts to a big log of iron that is bolted to the head and has to accept all the heat generated by combustion of each 4 cylinders. This causes the iron to expand and contract over a wide physical range and splits heads and manifolds. Factory has yet to learn this because it has been going on a long time.
Sheet metal headers almost never have this problem.
This problem is very sensitive to letting the cooling system overheat the engine and agraviate the problem even more.

 

Coolsvile,

The manifold crack has to be addressed first. You can most likely find a manifold in a junk yard. Not knowing what vehicle you have and its engine it is difficult to compare costs of headers vs manifolds. The first symptom of a cracked manifold would be noise. Assuming it is EFI; you could also be running rich. The idle might be off a little too. Power could also be down. Has your SES light come on?

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Hey JMC,
He mentions his ride and its powertrain at the bottom of his posting FYI.

 

Apologies to all. Did not notice description. Must be having a bad eyes day today. TGIF

JMC

 

Well as was stated my truck is in the sig, but just incase

1999
4.6 V8
5-Speed
Manual 4x4
etc below

Two things that happened very resently is two mornings ago (it was the coldest so far this summer/fall, maybe around 5-10 degrees Celsius) it took a while for the engine to kick in. The starter was doin its job just fine but it was like the engine would not "kick in" so to speak.
Another one happened yesterdaym, when i put the clutch in while going around a corner after driving the truck for about 5 min (or basically just up to temp) it stalled out.

I am thinking both of these could be because of the loss of back pressure in the passenger side cylinders of my truck or rich fuel conditions.

I have also noticed of course the sound (a slight ticking and flapping sounds). And of course i feel that i have lost my low end torque (probably due to back pressure). As far as fuel consumption goes i think its about what it always has been, i dont keep logs but i do basically know how much gas I use only my daily ventures.

Water in the oil or cooling problems, im pretty confident there are NONE. I havent looked at these specifically but i havent noticed these either when im working on my truck or driving her.

So, whats my best course of action here? way i look at it i should either get a new manifold out of a junk yard? or just go up in the world to headers since they are ripping out the manifold regardless. NO?

 

Headers will cost you. Look at my sig and you will see that I have headers so I am partial to them. If you want headers then now would be a perfect time to get them.

JMC

 

Don't know about the tritons but the 5.0's were notorious for cracking the manifold on the passenger side. Never saw one with over 30,000 miles not be cracked to varying degrees.

Is this also a problem with the Triton lines?


My apologies if this thread overly old. Still new here and trying to figure out how quickly things move. Seems to be very quick!