Exhaust Manifold Gasket Question

[Sun_Devil375]

I had a bad ticking noise coming from my exhaust manifold gaskets ever since I purchased my truck a few years ago. I finally changed the gaskets and replaced all the hardware myself with new Dorman hardware and the ticking was gone. Its back again (less than 30 days later) and I am assuming some of the hardware failed since its a very faint noise, and I reached out to the warranty department for a replacement set that should be here soon.

My question is, does anyone know which studs go where? the set comes with two studs with longer heads and two with shorter heads but i'm not sure if there is any difference where I use them (as long as they are on the outside). Are the longer ones made for bottom and shorter ones made for the top, or vise versa. Pics included for reference.




Also, second question. this repair guide from Autozone.com shows a heat shield on the 3rd gen 4.7L engine. Does everyone have the heat shield? Mine doesn't have one on the drivers or passenger side and im not sure if they are supposed to and previous owner took them off or if that's an oversight by autozone.

 

[Karlsweg]

More than likely the heat shields were torn off by previous owner. As far as the exhaust manifold, was it milled flat or checked to see if it was warped before reinstalling it? The bolts with the nuts are for where the heat attaches. The regular bolts go in the non heat shield holes.

 

[Sun_Devil375]

@Karlsweg Thank you that makes more sense. I am going to order some heat shields then. I'll take it apart once those arrive and make sure the gaskets and bolts are still good and double check for warping. thanks for the help!

 

[Karlsweg]

Hope it helps. You’re welcome.