Thanks for the reply...and yes, always a possibility. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Just for sake of asking...is the 2.6 Exhaust Manifold prone to cracking? Not that I have really heard of it happening before, but was curious. Initial observation shows that there is an bracket-like clamp around the exhaust pipe near the manifold connection that bolts to a bracket on the block...with no bolt in it. I'm figuring that is probably a good reason for the cracks as they are, transfering shift & flex up onto the cast manifold (that'll be fixed with the head & manifold replacement). In all the years she (my neighbor) has had this Raider, it seems it has always been rather loud-ish going by my house. Not as in an "open-exhaust"/performance muffler type of loud, but just rather noisy. I adjusted the valve lash on it a few months ago, seemed to run pretty good. I guess the cracked mani can make one sound bad. The wife's blue Conquest (stock boost) sure did sound bad with 2 exhaust manifold studs broken & 2 cracked runners (ugh, next job on the list <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />) Ok...ok, I'll stop rambling now, just wanted to share... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again, folks! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Pics of our G54B rides (mine is dusty & black, wife's is blue):