I'm getting more and more excited to do this.
2000 Ex Weekend Warrior build
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 880
Likes: 13
From: Northcentral Wisconsin
I used band clamps instead of supplied u-bolts.
Turned this way I could get a long extension and swivel down the back corner of the engine to tighten the top collecter bolt. It wasn't easy though.
I've had great results with these on the semi, so I used them here as well. I couldn't get one in 2 1/2" for the Y pipe and used a different brand there.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 880
Likes: 13
From: Northcentral Wisconsin
Overall a very well designed kit! The shields are confusing, but other than that it goes pretty good. Read the other installs and look at their pics and hopefully some of mine are useful also. The installs on FTE are better than the directions. On my starter shield, I bent the tabs the hose clamp goes through, away from each other so the shield sat down closer to the starter. Sorry I didn't get a picture of that.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 3
For anyone on the fence about going Banks Headers or not on a v10 or just redoing your studs. Bite the bullet and do it! I screwed around with studs a ton over a 3 year period with my v10 because I was cheap. I finally solved my v10 manifold problems for good with the banks! Pricey but great quality and worth it. After 10 years of owning truck it sounds good as well, buzz and ticking is gone!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 880
Likes: 13
From: Northcentral Wisconsin
That was the conclusion I came to, the only permanent fix is the Banks headers. I haven't touched them since I retightened them after the original install. No leaks at all. They are well worth the money. They improve performance enough you can feel the difference in acceleration.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,304
Likes: 28
From: Salem, VA
Same here! Not really impressed with the performance aspect of it but all my love for them is in the craftsmanship and the knowledge that I'll never have to mess with them again!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 880
Likes: 13
From: Northcentral Wisconsin
I guess I'll turn this into my build thread. Our Excursion was involved in a accident a few years ago. Life happened and I didn't have time to fix it. Last winter I thought I'd have time and put it in my neighbors shop. That was a mistake. I didn't get time to work on it and the rust went nuts sitting on damp concrete. So plans changed from fixing it up really nice to just a solid decent looking vehicle. Maybe I'll keep it for off roading and put a plow on it in winter. Then we can work on the pickup we bought for my wife and look for a southern EX to buy.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 880
Likes: 13
From: Northcentral Wisconsin
Got it straightened out.
Some tweaking and they match pretty good.
Test fitting and tweaking until they fit nice. These are Keystone Platinums. They fit pretty good but aren't as stout as the Ford fenders.