Grand Am FTL

[alerored04]

That is the best way. Just make sure you torque the snot out of it when the dp goes back together. I searched for an hour to find my exhaust leak until I realized that.

[geldartb]

Honestly, the easiest way is to take the head off and pull the exhaust manifold off on the bench, if needed. To do this, you'll need to disconnect the downpipe from the exhaust manifold. Not the easiest task, but with enough extensions, you can get to the bolts from under the car.

thats basically how i did it. i used like 3 extentions and a large ratchet for leverage.

when i put the headers on this time i put the rear one on before i put the head in the car.

[bszopi]

how do I get the back exhaust manifolds off is there a trick??? keep in mind im a girl and am new to this

Honestly, the easiest way is to take the head off and pull the exhaust manifold off on the bench, if needed. To do this, you'll need to disconnect the downpipe from the exhaust manifold. Not the easiest task, but with enough extensions, you can get to the bolts from under the car.

[brighteyes]

how do I get the back exhaust manifolds off is there a trick??? keep in mind im a girl and am new to this

[Superdave]

Yep, a metric socket set, few metric wrenches, assorted screwdrivers. a small tube of lithium grease for the injector Orings, maybe a breaker bar for taking out the old headbolts, a wire wheel+ drill to clean up the surfaces. You can rent a torque wrench from any decent auto parts store, usually it's free as long as you don't break it. lol

you'll need to buy a headbolt set (around $15), top end gasket kit (sku 930210) for under $200 and a tube of Loctite red.


I would take both heads to a local machine shop and have them checked for any warping. Most likely they'll be fine though.

[1meanz]

for the heads?! no it doesnt have to come out, its all done from the top. a normal socket set, a good set of ratchet renches, and a gasket set, and your good to go. but id check them heads if they got hot at all, aluminum warps fairly easy.
and not tryin to thred jack, but yes dave it books on up there, my buddy at the jy got it and saved it for me, was a repo from a 60 year old woman, her daughter took the money for drugs insted of paying the bill lol. 120k miles.

but back on topic, get some beer and pizza, get a half decent mechanic, and go on

[brighteyes]

the engine has to come out to change right? what is the easiest way to get the engine out....dropping it from the bottom?

[Superdave]

Damn, my '04 books for around 6K.. i bet your '01 wouldn't be too far under that depending on the condition and miles.

Do you have any mechanic friends? for maybe $200 + beer/pizza you could have it running.

[1meanz]

=/ i bought my running gagt with a fixed lim (precaution) and brand new tires for 1600. then again the asking price was 2500 so yea.

i say fix it man, at least get a compression test and make sure its even the head gasket

[brighteyes]

lol i don't have the right tools to fix it so i'm selling it i'm asking 1500 for it

[gsEnterpries]

$2.00 and I'll come get. LOL. Just kidding. I'd fix it, but then again thats what I do for a living.

[brighteyes]

i got a question...

how much do you think i can get out of this car if i sell it?

[IsaacHayes]

Sounds like it got too hot and blew the headgasket.

[brighteyes]

ok thanks

[SappySE107]

no, it doesnt have to mix anything. I had this happen before.