need advice
 

Hi i just bought a 97 f350 mason dump and noticed that the exaust was leaking from both sides from the doughnut gaskets.So i usually do all my own work but havent had time so i took it to a garage for an estimate and they told me the manifolds are so flacky there both leaking and need to be replaced and there could be a chance the block is rotted,also they said they had to pull the motor to change the manifolds,wow,so my first ford 3rd diesel what do you guys think.i can get at the manifolds thru the wheel wells correct thx

ahhh. . .no. I wouldn't be trusting that.

I'd put the exhaust seals on first. if it leaks after that, then I'd look into it if I still heard or knew of a big exhaust leak.

Rather than pull the motor, if you have access to a 2 post hoist, pull the cab. Can be done quicker than pulling the motor in many cases, and gives you all the room in the world.

yeah,basically he wanted to junk the truck,74,000 miles on it runs mint,i did look quick and only felt a leak from the gaskets but i might just do the manifolds now and save some trouble the look bad and are rusted out

Note that if you do decide to keep the same manifold, those things can expand like a bugger when you take em off. They are no fun sometimes to get back on.