Need exhaust advice.
 

Hi,

I installed an aftermarket header because my stock header had a crack. Now I have another exhaust leak. I have tightened the bolts and gooped up the junction of the down pipe and header and the leak is still there. The header I installed was pretty cheap and it is going to need to be replaced anyways or I risk failing smog inspection here in California. Should I start believing my motor mounts are bad? My jeep is a 96 4.0 with almost 130,000 miles on it. Everything seems to be in decent shape but I think I need some sage advice so here I am. I'm looking at selling a kidney to buy the Gibson shorty ceramic coated so I can rule out buying a cheap pos as my issue. If it's a shorty does that mean I need a piece to make up the difference between the header and the down pipe? And would a flexible member there be the best way to go? Thanks all!!

Are you sure you know where your leaks are? Duct tape a shopvac to your exhaust and pressurize it. I had chased down an exhaust tick for a while believing it was at one of the collectors. It was actually the exhaust gasket. The felpro one with the metal inserts fixed the issue.

Could you briefly detail this procedure for me? Thanks!

You mean to find the leak? Take a shopvac out the hose to the outlet port of the vac. Them take the other end of the hose and tape it to your exhaust. Engine cold and off. Turn the vac (now blower) on and feel for a leak. You will be able to hear them. Really shove your fingers in there to get to the head flange.

Aye!! Thanks!!

Another tip to add with cold engine: get soapy water in a spray bottle and spray the areas of the header/exhaust you think there may be a leak. When you turn shopvac on you'll see bubbles where the leak is.