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81 chevy luv - engine is from a 79 1.8L gas

I spent this weekend trying to find an exhaust leak #4cyl exhaust manifold gasket had failed so I replaced that. Previous owner removed all the emissions equipment there is a tube above the exhaust manifold with small tubes that attach to the head just above the manifold, I believe this is part of the EGR system, can I remove this tube and install plugs where it attaches to the head? I believe this tube is the source of my leak. My second question is do the head gaskets commonly fail on these engines? I am getting a misfire and my cooling system has lots of pressure even after sitting 8+ hours and the coolant smells slightly of gas/exhaust.

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1971 Chevrolet K20 4x4 350/350/NP205
1981 Chevrolet Luv 4x4 1.8L/4SP

yes you can remove the rail above manifold and plug holes and on the head gasket mine blew twice in less than a year

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if it aint a luv it aint shit

i took the air rail out and plugged it with 14mmx1.25 threaded plugs i made from 14mm bar.
i have been driving on my head gasket for a bit over a year before i had my head rebuilt and the new one has been fine since then for almost another year now and i abuse the heck out of my motor it see's 4-5k rpm pretty much daily

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Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

good information, never occurred to me to make my own plugs I was looking for plugs that would fit excellent idea. I was going to do a compression check this weekend but left my gauge at work. I hope the head gasket is not bad it seems to run ok even with the Rochester carb and has good power.

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1971 Chevrolet K20 4x4 350/350/NP205
1981 Chevrolet Luv 4x4 1.8L/4SP

Pull the air rail, cut the individual tubes & remove from the threaded inserts, tap & plug (or weld) the inside of the inserts & reinstall the plugged inserts.

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'78 Chevy LUV,1.9,4sp,headers,31's,SAS Dana 30,Dana 20,SOA rear w/Aussie Locker, rough body, bought new 12/4/78.
'87 Trooper,2.3,5sp,headers,31's,ball joint flip & spacer,Aussie Locker rear,Superwinch hubs,brush guard w/5.5K winch,more to come.

tapped and threaded the inserts for 3/8 fine thread and put some high temp thread locker and tightened them down. works perfectly, no more exhaust/compression leaks. excellent idea

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1971 Chevrolet K20 4x4 350/350/NP205
1981 Chevrolet Luv 4x4 1.8L/4SP