OK!
So finally got my parts in a couple days ago(had to wait much longer than usual because of the hurricane) and just had some free time today (and still ran out of light) to get the gasket installed on the midpipe, I didn't take pictures but it sure as heck took care of that stupid ricer noise! However, I was unable to fix the spring bolt situation... I don't have access to a large enough drill bit to drill the holes on the midpipe large enough to fit the bolt that needs to go though. BUT the gasket fit in fine and it tightened down perfectly with just the one good spring bolt and it has held up just fine since I've done that back when I started this thing.
So in essence, exhaust leak is gone!! I also did an oil change while I was under there: Castrol Syntec (fully synthetic) 5w-30, K&N oil filter. I was about to go on 6000 miles since the first oil change which was back when I got this baby, although I've had to had a bit of oil to it every once in a while but not too much, but anyway I feel better about having all new fresh oil in
Next big job will probably be the motor mounts... I'm getting tired of all this rattling and lurching from the engine bay when I step on it. I will start looking for mounts! I found $20 ones on Rockauto.com, are those worth getting? Should I look at a junkyard? or is OEM best bet...? (i hope not because I don't have near enough money for those....)
Thanks for everyone's input!!
So finally got my parts in a couple days ago(had to wait much longer than usual because of the hurricane) and just had some free time today (and still ran out of light) to get the gasket installed on the midpipe, I didn't take pictures but it sure as heck took care of that stupid ricer noise! However, I was unable to fix the spring bolt situation... I don't have access to a large enough drill bit to drill the holes on the midpipe large enough to fit the bolt that needs to go though. BUT the gasket fit in fine and it tightened down perfectly with just the one good spring bolt and it has held up just fine since I've done that back when I started this thing.
So in essence, exhaust leak is gone!! I also did an oil change while I was under there: Castrol Syntec (fully synthetic) 5w-30, K&N oil filter. I was about to go on 6000 miles since the first oil change which was back when I got this baby, although I've had to had a bit of oil to it every once in a while but not too much, but anyway I feel better about having all new fresh oil in
Next big job will probably be the motor mounts... I'm getting tired of all this rattling and lurching from the engine bay when I step on it. I will start looking for mounts! I found $20 ones on Rockauto.com, are those worth getting? Should I look at a junkyard? or is OEM best bet...? (i hope not because I don't have near enough money for those....)
Thanks for everyone's input!!