OK here is my problem i got the 2.7l and ya its got a good size crack in the exhaust manifold which i found out is a common thing. but here is my question my dad wants to try welding the crack and then machining the top (we have a mill) instead of spending like 150 and buying a replacement o.e.m one from autozone. Another question is has anyone bought the replacement one from like autozone and can tell me it fits perfectly because sometimes those kind of things dont if you no wut i mean thanks for your help

 

Sounds like a good time to invest in a header.

 

Ditto,

The welding is a temporary fix, if you want to go to a stock replacement do it right with a toyota part.

Call Northridge Toyota, they are in California but offer a discount and free shipping to yotatech members. I priced it at around 200 bucks for the new manifold, some studs, new bolts, and the gaskets needed.

I went with an LCE header for when mine cracked recently. Its a good piece of $ to get it, but its worth it since i have eliminated my manifold problem.

If you have a 2 cat model truck then your going to have to do some modding to the exhaust system to make a header work, if you have one cat it will bolt right in. If you have a 4runner then you have to have a flange welded on at an exhaust shop.

If your going to do it your self, for me the egr bolts were a pain in the butt. I had to end up taking it to a shop to do, which was well work the money for them to fight the manifold while I was helping with the easy stuff.

 

FYI
there is one for sale in Minneapolis mn right now for i think $20 or $50...
here's the link:
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/for/589197848.html

 

You can find replacement ones on ebay for like 80 bucks...this is the route I took cause I didn't have the cash for a header. It fit perfectly, I think I got it from A1 Auto on ebay or something.

Go with a header if you can otherwise just replace it...don't weld it. Its a thin piece of metal...it won't hold up in the long run. Not worth the time.