Found the problem with the driver's side header.

There's a slotted hole for the rear top bolt. You can't get the bolt in the hole with the header already on the head, because the tube bends right in front of it. So, they slotted the hole so you could install the bolt almost all the way, slide the header on, and then install the rest of the bolts.

The slot is too far forward. This causes the bottom bolt holes to misalign with the header and you can't get the bolts in.

Mystery solved. Die-grinder to the rescue.

I have my wife's nephew's engagement party tonight at 6PM, It's 3PM.

Wanna bet I can get the driver's installed before I have to quit to get showered/dressed?

I have 3 beers in the fridge... gotta keep away from the "think about it" beers

 

Sounds like it is time to go get more beer.

 

I didn't get it installed...

Tomorrow, I hope to brave the nor'easter and get that puppy bolted up.

I hope...

 

Got an hour to work today:

Good news, I got all the bolts for the driver's side down fingertight. Tomorrow, after loosening it up again and making sure it's square with the head, I'll tighten it down bit by bit to keep it straight.

Whew...

I have GOT to remember to buy knee-pads.

After that, it's off to remove the y-pipe to retrieve my tap handle. The nuts are too far gone, just like the ones on the manifold studs, to get a socket on. One, I was able to turn it no problem. The other two are so rotted, they aren't their original size anymore. It's a good thing removing the y-pipe anyway, I'll be bringing it somewhere to get it modified.

My way.

Anyone reading this remember which way an h-pipe makes low-end or high-end torque? Further away is what, low-end? Closer is high-end? Or vice-versa...

Oh wait, there's Google... I'll go find out



What's the point of using stainless exhaust plumbing and using plain nuts on it?

They really do look like plain steel. Or maybe more like cast-iron, believe it or not.

Anyway...

 

My guess is farther away for torque. In my Mustang when I went from the stock H-pipe to an X-pipe the cross was closer to the engine. I lost a bit of low end torque, but had a gain in high end HP. As for the knee pads I can relate, my knees aren't what they used to be. I find after working on something my knees are red and swollen for a couple of days. Started a few years back. Tore my ACL last fall which don't help any either. Who came up with this getting old gracefully garbage anyway.

 

Got both sides torqued down. Now have to get the tap handle out of the y-pipe, and bolt everything back together.

Man, I'm tired...

 

Hey Art ! are you retiring on this job or What?

Mr big said he been done by now and would have drank all your beer

Jklng of course
Rich

 

I do think so

It's just that I don't get a lot of time, and it being "new" and all, I don't wanna use the torch TOO much, you know what I mean?

Anyway, the problem was the driver's side header had the top rear hole misaligned. The die grinder took care of that.

The past 4 days were consumed by the much-heard-about Nor'easter over Long Island... It was fun working in the rain the other day.

 

Both sides are torqued down, the y-pipe doesn't line up. Driver's side collector is about 3/4" inboard from the pipe.

I'll be torching the y-pipe tomorrow.

Otherwise, I took a sound capture with my cell phone, but my Bluetooth stuff on WINDOWS (AHG!) has taken a dump. Of open headers

Boy does this thing snarl...

 

This is turning out to be quite the adventure with all that has happened. Even the weather was against you.

 

Tell me about it ...

Here's that sound clip:

http://www.marinepartsunlimited.com/...penheaders.mp3

Cell phone capture, nothing special...

 

I LIKE IT!!!

 

Have to say...been following this thread!

So...how did the torching go with that y-pipe? Also...why again did you go with the bolts .vs the studs?

Cannot wait for the end result...and the sound clip/pictures to go with it.


biz

 

I used a 4-foot floor jack handle, and the pipe bent the 1/2" I needed without any heat.

Bolted up, started it, and got a leak. Went to bed disappointed.

Woke up at 6AM, stared at the clock for 15 minutes, and suddenly realized - You forgot the O2 sensors, you idiot!

I guess two gaping holes would sound kinda crappy, eh?

I'll be going out today and finishing up... hopefully I can drive it tomorrow.

Definitely will be taking a sound clip as soon as I get it running with the O2 sensors installed

 

Success. No leaks. The little amount of time I had it running, the throttle response was amazing...

We'll see what it's like when I get it all back together... for now, I'm content with no leaks