98' GT bbk h-pipe w/stock manifold exhaust leak

BBK makes two different H pipes - one for the stock manifold or shorty headers, and one for long tubes. If the pipe you have will even remotely come close to bolting up to the stock manifold, you have the right H-pipe.

My understanding is that installing long-tube headers requires you to lift the engine off it's mounts, or drop the front K-member for clearance. Not sure if it possible, but likely you could install shorty headers without this, but I am not sure that they would do you any good.

 

The bolts probably stretched out some. They do experience tons of heat and any tension is gonna allow them to stretch out into nominal unclamping state.

Maybe a new gasket and bolts

 

you could buy gasket material and make one?

 

I am gonna need pics to see how they have h pipe for long tubes hooked up to the stock manifold.

 

One side is like a ball socket mount, the other side is a crush gasket. Ill try to get a pic

 

Manifold and hpipe both mate together with a special crush gasket. Replace this gasket. Should be good

 

Also, you may get lucky and just tighten it up

 

I am still confused on how a mid pipe made for long tubes could ever fit a stock manifold and not because of the connection. I thought long tubes came down a bit further than shorties, and the mid pipe was shorter because of this?

 

they do (longtubes), it has to be a standard full h pipe. The only other option is custom cut and weld.

 

That's is correct

 

I ended up putting 2 of those on the passenger side of my cobra
Not sure about the gap between I did blow one out on the passenger side

 

Now I remember why I put 2 in there was a little bit of a gap in between the jba shorty header and the bbk flange
The header manufacturer or bbk to short
That's why I put 2 of them in and tighten the shit out of it

 

Would it help to take the back connection to the pipe off or at the least loosen it, tighten the front and then go to the back?

 

No because the driver side bbk h pipe was slightly longer on driver side
And made it look like the jba header shorter on the passenger side just a manufacturer defect in one ore the other I closed the gap up on passenger side I put 2 gaskets it worked you would think everything is to a t
Fit
The quality on parts have been in the shitter for a while

 

You could also try this product.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/permatex-muffler-tailpipe-sealer-3-oz-80335-v807/7020007-P

I have the BBK X pipe with the BBK shorty headers. But every two years have to put the factory mid-pipe on the car for emission testing. I always use a small smear of this even with the factory gasket. Also use it on every connection. It might help you out also.

Jake