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

[amf201091]

The previous owner installed a bbk h-pipe from AmericanMuscle and kept the stock manifold. The car has an exhaust leak where the manifold meets the h-pipe on the passenger side. I took it to an exhaust shop and the owner told me that I would either need to find a gasket that's thicker and better quality than OEM (option A) or (option b) get some headers. AmericanMuscle says that the BBK h-pipe is meant to go with bbk long tubes and I'm guessing this is why... Does anyone know where I can find a thicker/better quality gasket that would go in between the manifold and the h-pipe?

 

[delling3]

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.

 

[amf201091]

Yeah, I just noticed it's not the same one that is currently offered on AmericanMuscle. The one I have is meant to be a direct replacement of the factory mid-pipe. I'm thinking of just ordering a OE gasket off AmericanMuscle and hoping that fixes the leak.

 

[96blak54]

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

 

[joe65]

you could buy gasket material and make one?

 

[ttocs]

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

 

[96blak54]

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

 

[96blak54]

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

 

[96blak54]

Also, you may get lucky and just tighten it up

 

[ttocs]

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?

 

[joe65]

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

 

[amf201091]

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

It's just a bbk h-pipe thats a direct replacement of stock mid-pipe

 

[amf201091]

Manifold and hpipe both mate together with a special crush gasket. Replace this gasket. Should be goodView attachment 3890

Is that crush gasket meant for a direct replacement h-pipe over stock midpipe? I ordered this off americanmuscle. https://www.americanmuscle.com/ford-manifold-to-midpipe-gasket-rh-9604.html would that work?

 

[RAU03MACH]

Is that crush gasket meant for a direct replacement h-pipe over stock midpipe? I ordered this off americanmuscle. https://www.americanmuscle.com/ford-manifold-to-midpipe-gasket-rh-9604.html would that work?

That's is correct

 

[RAU03MACH]

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

 

[RAU03MACH]

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

 

[ttocs]

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?

 

[RAU03MACH]

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

 

[amf201091]

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

So you think if I put two of these https://www.americanmuscle.com/ford-manifold-to-midpipe-gasket-rh-9604.html on it would fix the leak?

 

[Jakespeeds]

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