I have a beater 97 Expedition EB with the 5.4. It has 220K miles, the rocker panels are rusted to nothing, rear bumper mounts are rusted badly, etc etc etc. It runs good, but the drivers side exhaust manifold gasket is blown very badly, the rear most stud/bolt(don't know which it used to be) is rusted off. I've been pulled over for it once, probably just an excuse to make sure I was sober going to work at 2AM. Now finally to my thought.
I don't think its worth the headache of trying to fix it right assuming some studs break off, so what do you all think about using 2400 degree thermosteel (
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/c...rm=thermosteel) in place of ther gasket, and just tighten the nuts & bolts that don't break? I am well aware that it would almost definitely never come off without both of the mating surfaces being ruined, but is there any reason it shouldn't work? I could do it on a Thursday evening and not drive it till Monday morning so it would have more that enough time to cure.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.