exuast manifold leak and missing bolt

[SSD240sx]

ok so im looking for some help with this problem

i bought a 240sx n the headers on them are old looking aftermarkets. On one end there is some type of goopy stuff i guess for a leak or something, but i noticed it didnt have a bolt on it so that i could connect the headers on to it..also it has a leak somewhere and is making a harly bike type of sound!so my logic is to take off the headers n change the gaskets with ones from autozone!BUT if i take off the headers; the side that has the goop on it with the missing bolt that connects to the engine i wont be able to put back on the headers because it wont be bolted on tight..!

so how do i fix this... ?will put pic up soon

[bruinbear714]

I was trying to picture what you were saying... Just take off the header and see where the leak is coming from. It'll be obvious as the area will be black with soot. You'll probably need a new exhaust gasket though as the old one will most likely be destroyed in the process of removing the header.

[SSD240sx]

but the bolt is missing?how would i bolt the headers back on if theres nothing to bolt it tru?

[My RB25]

I work at a shop that specializes in exhausts and inspections. If you sound like a harley, then you obviously have a leak. With a leak like that, you'll be able to feel it. Run your hand around the entire piping, use your ears and try to direct your hand. Please do this when the car is cold just be warned the pipes will heat up quickly. That goop is muffler cement, good for little holes missed when welding, but not for big holes.

If your missing a stud your going to have to drill out whats there and re tap it (make the threads again). If you cant do this I would highly suggest taking it to an exhaust shop. If you try to just replace the gasket your going to still have the leak there and your just gonna waste money and time.

[SSD240sx]

yea well how much is that gonna cost to get it tooken out n re-threaded?

heres some pix

[My RB25]

Ok...um wow. I may be wrong, since I can't touch it...but that looks like silicone. Is it rubbery or hard? Anyway it's not in that bad of a spot, to be honest, price wise I have no idea. I don't do the billing, I just work on em Thats a pretty clean break, at first it almost made me think it was a stud, until I saw a bolt on the opposite end. A good exhaust shop wouldn't even charge you to give you a quote. I'd go lookin around man.

[SSD240sx]

it was kinda rubbery not cement type !n ok but do yuh think its a hard job to do?(tryna save money) haha

[My RB25]

Ya silicone is not used on exhaust anything. It's not a hard job if you know what your doing, but considering your asking if it's hard means you don't know what your doing. If you feel comfortable drilling into your head go ahead, but you need a good drill, the right bits and a tap. Any job is easy if you have the right tools and know what your doing.

I personally would take a whole different approach, but I have a welder and torch at my disposal

[SSD240sx]

yea lolim not gonna do it myself i called a local shop n they said they would need to weld n tap it n it would cost around $40 n take only an hour!

sounds good to me haha thanks for your help