exhaust leak from donut gasket

[88shadowpjct]

there is exhaust leaking pretty bad out ofthe gasket donut on the downpipe. i bought the universal exhaust bolts from AutoZone but im thinking the right ones for this might be a little bit shorter because these bolts are maxed out and it just seems like its not clamping it enough to seal it. i just realized i can throw washers on the bolts...... im going to try that, but is there anything else that could cause this besdies that? the gasket is new the SV is too (idk if its NEW or just cleaned up but it was on the turbo wen i bought it, im gonna callit "fresh" not new cuz idk if it's 100% new)

[william]

I don't know what you have for hardware, but the words "universal" and "autozone" don't inspire any confidence. The hardware kit is available from Chrysler, as well as exhaust shops. It will often be cheaper at an exhaust shop, but make sure you get the right stuff. There should be a spring, a nut, and a special bolt for each side. The springs hold everything in place, washers will not work.

[88shadowpjct]

yeah thats what it is but im thinking where the bolt is threaded then has a larger unthreaded shaft, i think the shaft is too long and it is bottoming out in the nut before it gets the flange tight enough. i was thinking putting washers on the bolt before putting it through the flange on the DP. then i'd be able to get a few more threads before it bottoms out.. but just to be safe im going to take your advice and go to a shop and get the exact ones for it. then it wont look hacked.

thanks

[tryingbe]

turbos

[detobias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88shadowpjct i think the shaft is too long and it is bottoming out in the nut before it gets the flange tight enough. i was thinking putting washers on the bolt before putting it through the flange on the DP. then i'd be able to get a few more threads before it bottoms out..

this is a good idea and may work for ya

I liked the fwdperf kit; seemed high quality and had nice 'tab nuts'

the strength of the spring may vary too ? a generic spring may be softer ..

I slathered my donut with antiseize on the inside and outside hoping that would help with sealing...

all in all I dont like the ball/socket design .. seems marginal for a stock engine and not too robust for a built engine .. my $0.02

you may need to stiffen up your motor mounts to prevent excessive motor movement which may be causing you problems .. how fresh are your MMs ? stock or poly ??

[johnnyfive]

Advance auto parts has the bolt kit for that donut part. I don't remember the part number but they can look it up in the computer and they usually have them in stock in the help aisle.

[88shadowpjct]

Quote:

Originally Posted by detobias how fresh are your MMs ? stock or poly ??

they are all new last summer. just went to autozone for them

[detobias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by william I don't know what you have for hardware, but the words "universal" and "autozone" don't inspire any confidence. The hardware kit is available from Chrysler, as well as exhaust shops. snip

uh, this *may* be part of the problem as the Autozone "Help" parts aren't necesssarily OEM quality .. (might be, but unless a side-by-side proves it, I'm doubtful)

is the bottoming shank on the bolt in the right place ? is the spring as strong as it should be ?

for a critical part like this, I suggest either straight OE or *quality* aftermarket

[glht_omni]

the help ones at autozone are fine, i have always used them and have used them alot, just amke sure you get the right ones, there are 2 different "chrysler" marked styles, get the shorter one, sometimes, the new springs are a little tough to get the nut started, in that case i reused the old springs. the new spring stiffness seemed hit or miss if it was too tight or not.

[88shadowpjct]

ok sounds like i need to buy another set because mine threaded on with no problem. im going to buy some tomorrow... thanks for the help everyone!