risks of running with a wicked exhaust manifold leak

[TrollFromDownBelow]

I only had 2 studs holding up my left exhaust manifold. Decided to attempt and 'make it better' the other day. Managed to successfully tap out one stripped hole to 10mm and put in a 10m x 8m step stud. However, the exhaust boss on the other was already cracked... pretty much crumbled when I tried to drill and tap it. . So I mushed some playdoh like stuff (similar to JB weld) into the exhaust boss that cracked, and stuffed a stud in it, for the sole purpose of getting the exhaust manifold lined up when I got it back on.

Verdict is that it is being held on by 3 studs instead of 2, however, I have a wicked exhaust leak at the head/manifold junction. I'd like to take it camping in a couple of weeks - will be aprox 700 miles round trip. otherwise the engine is running pretty good.

Question is, am I tempting the fates of the road gremlins if I drive it this way? A good chunk of the trip will be freeway at about 65mph

[hambone]

I'd not run it that way. The soot can also get all over your engine and get sucked into the intake. A couple weeks? Fix that sucker.

[Amskeptic]

I only had 2 studs holding up my left exhaust manifold. Decided to attempt and 'make it better' the other day.

Oh dear, that sleeping dog ...

Which studs sort of maybe work right now?
Do you have the hanger bracket that holds the exchanger on to the fan housing?

The head itself is toast now, so just get the manifold up and secure as best you can without overtightening the remaining nuts, rely on the hanger and see if you can make a bracket at the front where the manifold leads into the "U" tube. Or, ask the lower tin stand in as a manifold holder. Leaky head-to-manifold joints are quite common and have been accused of all number of fatal maladies like dropped seats, but I am not convinced.
Colin

[hambone]

Baling wire? Oh geez. One of those Muir-Muldoon tales.

[TrollFromDownBelow]

Bailing wire it is! . Plan is to drop the engine this winter and do a top end rebuild with fresh heads... just concerned with the engine getting me home and back (aprox 700 miles) for the immediate future.

I will drop the manifold and see if I can't get a better seal before I leave.

Cheers,
Mike