Missing Exhaust Donut

[Slipknotcc]

Hey guys,

So my car all of a sudden started getting very very loud and pop on deceleration. I popped the hood to realize that my exhaust donut was gone. I hope the donut is the right thing, its the thick gasketish thing between the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe. Oh I have a 65 Mustang with stock 200 and single exhaust if that helps.

So my question is, is it safe to drive without that gasket? This is my only car so I need to use it to get the part for one and to go to school and back 10mile drive. Just need to know if I should start walking now or if I drive on it.

Thanks Guys,

Cory

 

[aahsac]

If it's not gone but just badly eroded you can wiggle the downpipe back and forth while tightening the two nuts and that should help. If it's gone you should be able to drive it but keep your foot out of it.

 

[Patrick66]

yeah, its ok to drive with an exhaust leak. it'll just be loud.

 

[rbohm]

8) it is ok to drive the car, your fuel mixture will be a bit lean, and you might have some hot weather issues, but other than that you can drive it until you get a replacement donut.

 

[Asa]

when i first got mine i drove it repeatedly without one, it kept getting rotted out by the exhaust gases

make sure you have a pipe that goes inside the exhaust manifold, then a lip on the outside of the exhaust pipe
i went through about 10 of them before i got it fixed

 

[Slipknotcc]

Cool, Thanks Guys!

I just didn't want to drive it and then figure out later on that I just messed up the new engine.
Called the local parts store and found that its a special order part so it should be in monday. Glad this wasnt anything too serious.

Thanks A Bunch,
Cory

 

[Gene 64 2dr]

It may not be bad for the engine but make sure you get plenty of fresh air when you are driving. If you were to drive awhile with the windows closed you could end up being sick or worse from the carbon monoxide from the engine.

 

[Asa]

gotta pay attention to that lip i'm talkin about, if you don't have it you'll just burn the new gasket up

 

[Slipknotcc]

I checked, and I do have the lip that you guys were talking about. Just the gasket was shredded to pieces. Once I get the new one on Monday or Tuesday I'll update you guys on whats going on.

Thanks Guys,

Cory

 

[Asa]

i found that putting it on and tightening it as much as possible, then warming it up and cranking down while it's hot helped seal it even better

 

[rbohm]

8) in addition to what asa said, you can also coat the sealing surface of the donut with ultra copper rtvwhen you install it. that should end any sealing issues.

 

[HARVEY LIGHT]

When I had the new exhaust for the 65 falcon, the guy built the lip and showed me on the old pipe where they had left it out. That puppy is now properly quiet and sealed!!!

 

[Anonymous]

You should have checked at a machine shop for that part. Or maybe other parts houses. Someone should have stocked it. Auto Zone is good for older parts although they do have to order some things also. I wouldn't drive it too far without it. Keep the windows open and watch for exhaust gasses inside the car. I have an extra one here at home in TX but I have other problems. Good luck.