I have 1973 eldorado convertible. It has an exhaust leak where the Y pipe connects to the manifold. Loud at first but lessens after warm up but is getting worse. This may be typical as I had 75 coupe de ville with the exact same issue. Do you know what needs to be done to correct this?
Probably just the donut gasket needs to be replaced. I assume you've checked to make sure the pipe isn't loose and that the bolts don't need tightening.
Seems like I would not forget since I just put the motor back in my 73 a month or so ago but I dont think there are any doughnuts on a 73 eldo. I think the pipe just is flared. When mine have leaked its been burnt out gaskets where it mates to the head or cracks (usually both). Find a manifold thats not cracked, have it surfaced and bolt it up with no gaskets has worked best for me.
There is no donut gasket. I am wondering if this warrants the replacement of the pipe or if it can be fixed/welded.
Scott,
You are correct, there are no "donut" gaskets in the head pipes on your car. What you have are flared ends of the pipes where they connect to the exhayst manifolds (over the "bells" in the manifold casting), and the pipe is one piece (welded) back to intermediate head pipe where there is, I believe, a flat gasketed flange connection.
The most frequent location for leaks is a cracked manifold, followed by a loose or missing manifold bolts, followed by the headpipes loose where they connect to the manifolds.
I su you visually check where the leak is to see if the pipe itself has deteriorated and that both nuts are tight on the manifold studs.
Greg
Finding an exhaust leak is easier using a hose. Take a 3 foot piece and put one end to your ear and the other is moved around any place you suspect a leak to be. You will know when you find it because you can hear the exhaust blowing across the end of the hose.
That’s much easer than trying to get eyes on all parts of the manifold.
Glen