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Loud Exhaust [message #303012] Sun, 03 July 2016 19:04 Go to next message
Jim Schulte is currently offline  Jim Schulte   United States
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Had unit at local mechanic, and asked him to correct excessive exhaust noise thinking the doughnut was out. His opinion is the heads are cracked. I had him do a compression test and he stated compression in all cylinders is from 140 to 145 and the doughnut is OK. He said he thought there is a head crack at the exhaust manifold that does not extend into the cylinder on both heads. 1977 23ft Birchaven with 133000 mi and a 455. I do not understand cracked heads? I would suspect a bad exhaust manifold gasket and if so any recommendations on bolt removal and replacement of gasket. Jim
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303014 is a reply to message #303012] Sun, 03 July 2016 19:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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Sounds like you need a new mechanic, or at least a second opinion. More likely you have bad exhaust manifold gaskets or maybe a cracked exhaust manifold. There are several options on gaskets. Dave Lenzi makes a nice embossed copper gasket and includes explicit instructions on installation (what I have): http://bdub.net/lenzi/index.html

Others have had good luck with Remflex gaskets: http://appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/670

The bolts may need to be soaked with penetrating oil and be removed carefully. Sometimes it helps to give them a hit with a hammer, and/or tighten them a little before trying to remove them. Installation should be with the four lower bolts first, tightening them to spec, then installing the top bolt last with less torque. All five bolts are above center line of the manifold and tightening the top one can tilt the manifold, creating a leak at the bottom.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303017 is a reply to message #303014] Sun, 03 July 2016 19:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   Canada
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I would suspect blown exhaust gasket or cracked exhaust manifold. One of the ears on the manifold may have broken. I've got one that I'm watching now.
Remflex gaskets are the way to go with a suspect manifold seating problem. Read the directions carefully. Do not over-torque the gasket . You can crush it and render it useless. Do not tighten the middle bolt on the manifold, it's purpose is to hold the manifold to the block while setting the other 4 bolts. Torque the four bolts in the pattern in the instructions. After finishing the job, re-torque the bolts after the engine has been driven for several heating and cooling cycles. Did I say, do not torque the center bolt, just tight is good enough.
Tom, MS II


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303032 is a reply to message #303012] Sun, 03 July 2016 23:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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This is a common problem on GMC's. Listen to Tom and Carl's recommendations above.

Exhaust manifold or manifold gasket problem.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303036 is a reply to message #303012] Mon, 04 July 2016 00:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bullitthead is currently offline  Bullitthead   United States
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GET A NEW MECHANIC! Maybe he just doesn't want to work on it and is trying to scare you away. Do the gaskets...follow the knowledge available in this forum, past and present, and you will solve the problem correctly without collateral damage.

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303037 is a reply to message #303012] Mon, 04 July 2016 05:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chris Tyler is currently offline  Chris Tyler   United States
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If you run the engine at night, warmed up and with the hatch off, you might be a ble to locate the leak. Be careful of the whirly bits though.Oh, and ventilate the coach.

Doubt it's a head crack.


76 Glenbrook
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303041 is a reply to message #303012] Mon, 04 July 2016 06:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Jim Schulte wrote on Sun, 03 July 2016 20:04
Had unit at local mechanic, and asked him to correct excessive exhaust noise thinking the doughnut was out. His opinion is the heads are cracked. I had him do a compression test and he stated compression in all cylinders is from 140 to 145 and the doughnut is OK. He said he thought there is a head crack at the exhaust manifold that does not extend into the cylinder on both heads. 1977 23ft Birchaven with 133000 mi and a 455. I do not understand cracked heads? I would suspect a bad exhaust manifold gasket and if so any recommendations on bolt removal and replacement of gasket. Jim

Jim,

I see you are not new here, but at least you are getting good answers. That is because this is the best place to get good answers.

You must have noticed that nobody here thinks it is a cracked head, and you have gotten answers that relate to millions of miles of experience.

I did miss seeing you come aboard in January, but as we are here now,

May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within here.

Welcome Jim,

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303043 is a reply to message #303041] Mon, 04 July 2016 08:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Justin Brady is currently offline  Justin Brady   United States
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Another vote for cracked manifolds not cracked heads.
Pull the manifolds and give them a look.


Justin Brady http://www.thegmcrv.com/ 1976 Palm Beach 455
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303044 is a reply to message #303012] Mon, 04 July 2016 08:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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I suspect you guys are right and one at least of the manifolds will come off in more than one piece. Howeevr, I'd check the obvious first - are you sure you don't maybe have a muffler(s) with a hole in or rusted out?

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303070 is a reply to message #303044] Mon, 04 July 2016 19:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bullitthead is currently offline  Bullitthead   United States
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Don't forget about the choke stove gasket where it is bolted into the intake and the heat exchanger tube itself. Mine had developed holes in the tube and was leaking, and the noise was because the hot air choke was changed to electric and the tubes were broken off.

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303115 is a reply to message #303070] Tue, 05 July 2016 13:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Schulte is currently offline  Jim Schulte   United States
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Thank you to everyone for your input and advice. Jim
Re: Loud Exhaust [message #303128 is a reply to message #303012] Tue, 05 July 2016 17:21 Go to previous message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Report back successes. Pictures are well received.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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