header problem with 5.3L

[wesmadden]

I'm looking for advice on my 2000 Silverado. As I went to install Gibson shorty headers, I noticed there wasn't a exhaust manifold bolt on the driver's side, far aft hole. In fact, when I took the manifold off, I noticed the hole was not even threaded. Figuring this was normal, I installed the headers and sure enough, I get a serious leak behind the driver's side, aft cylinder.

Has anyone else ran into this and if you have, what did you do? I don't know if I should find someone to thread the block or not?

[Cool Zr2]

I'm looking for advice on my 2000 Silverado.  As I went to install Gibson shorty headers, I noticed there wasn't a exhaust manifold bolt on the driver's side, far aft hole.  In fact, when I took the manifold off, I noticed the hole was not even threaded.  Figuring this was normal, I installed the headers and sure enough, I get a serious leak behind the driver's side, aft cylinder.

Has anyone else ran into this and if you have, what did you do?  I don't know if I should find someone to thread the block or not.

 

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For future referance, you don't need to post the same topic in 3 different sections, one is fine.

 

(I know this is GM Tech's section but this is my .02)

 

Assuming you didn't strip the threads out or a previous owner, and that the head in fact isn't taped with threads, I would say that it would be gm's responsibility to fix it if it is a error in assembly.

[GM-Tech]

That sounds familiar, though I just looked at a 4.8 (same basic engine) and it is not missing any bolts. I'll see if I can find a 2000 5.3.

[wesmadden]

That sounds familiar, though I just looked at a 4.8 (same basic engine) and it is not missing any bolts.  I'll see if I can find a 2000 5.3.

 

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Yeah, quite strange...there's a hole, larger than the diameter of the bolt, but it only goes 1/2" into the block. It lines up with the header bolt hole, but its not tapped. This honestly looks like a factory screw-up, but I doubt GM will fix this for me.

Of course it's hardest to reach, so tapping will involve pulling the engine.

[Cool Zr2]

That sounds familiar, though I just looked at a 4.8 (same basic engine) and it is not missing any bolts.  I'll see if I can find a 2000 5.3.

 

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Yeah, quite strange...there's a hole, larger than the diameter of the bolt, but it only goes 1/2" into the block. It lines up with the header bolt hole, but its not tapped. This honestly looks like a factory screw-up, but I doubt GM will fix this for me.

Of course it's hardest to reach, so tapping will involve pulling the engine.

 

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No, you would pull off the head.

[wesmadden]

Talked with a GM mechanic and he thinks the stud was torqued off inside the head, probably from prior warranty work for an exhaust leak. It's going to cost over $1000 to have them pull the head and have a machine shop remove the stud.