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Y-pipe removal on '88 conv.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 46
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From: Berwick Pennsylvania
Y-pipe removal on '88 conv.
I'm getting ready to drop the front y-pipe and cat on my '88 vert. But it looks like the tight clearances may require the X-brace to be removed. Has anyone done this before? Any frame alignment issues?
TIA,
jr
TIA,
jr
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Berwick Pennsylvania
Ok, the X-brace must be removed. A pair of frame reinforcements in the front need to be removed to reach the manifold studs.
As a shining example of Murphy's Law, one of the studs sheared off.Now the manifold itself needs to come off
I'm thinking about replacing all the studs while it's down, even though it's unlikely I'll ever have the exhaust off again. There's just something half-azzed about putting it back together with rusty, scaly, nasty hardware.
To make matters worse, the pre-cats were fine, and the irritating rattle was only the heat shield on the main cat.
No work on it today - it's raining again...
jr
As a shining example of Murphy's Law, one of the studs sheared off.Now the manifold itself needs to come off
I'm thinking about replacing all the studs while it's down, even though it's unlikely I'll ever have the exhaust off again. There's just something half-azzed about putting it back together with rusty, scaly, nasty hardware. To make matters worse, the pre-cats were fine, and the irritating rattle was only the heat shield on the main cat.
No work on it today - it's raining again...
jr
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
From: Sykesville Maryland
As a shining example of Murphy's Law, one of the studs sheared off.Now the manifold itself needs to come off I'm thinking about replacing all the studs while it's down, even though it's unlikely I'll ever have the exhaust off again. There's just something half-azzed about putting it back together with rusty, scaly, nasty hardware.
I'm thinking about replacing all the studs while it's down, even though it's unlikely I'll ever have the exhaust off again. There's just something half-azzed about putting it back together with rusty, scaly, nasty hardware. Luckily my neighbor has a lift and oxy. We had to remove the left manifold and with a lot of heat, got the stud on the right side out with an extractor without removing it.
He's a hemi guy and said Chrysler & Ford studs are much larger.
I told him "don't tell my wife, she thinks Chevy studs are!"
Good luck!
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 45
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From: Central Square (Syracuse) NY
Piece of cake. Just did mine last weekend. Every nut and bolt came off easily. Do yourself a favor and change the fuel filter while you have the x - brace off too. Gutted all 3 of my cats and a new filter and it feels like a new car. Biggest pain in the *** is finding places to jack from, and places to put jackstands. Get it high in the air and it's a piece of cake to work on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
You don't need to even touch the two front diagonal frame braces to drop the front Y. I have found it unnecessary. Just the main X-Brace if convertible. Plenty of room with the front raised, extensions and deep socket from below to get to the 3 manifold studs. I've done this about half a dozen times.
Luckily, the broken studs unscrew from the manifold. I picked up a new hardened set of 6 from my local muffler shop. Some anti-seize on the threads and they went on like butter.
Luckily, the broken studs unscrew from the manifold. I picked up a new hardened set of 6 from my local muffler shop. Some anti-seize on the threads and they went on like butter.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Berwick Pennsylvania
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 46
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From: Berwick Pennsylvania
Got my manifolds back from the machine shop today. Unfortunately, the studs on mine didn't come out easily! Soaking in weasel p*ss was futile! They were rusted and seized and it took a torch to get them out. Now the new studs have a really loose fit. Is this normal? Anyway, they're long enough that I can back up the flange threads with a nut if need be.
All this started because of a small exhaust leak at the flange, and an annoying rattle that I thought might be the pre-cat innards breaking up. Anyway, it'll go back together in the AM, minus the rattly heat shield on the main cat. It's gutted, so heat shouldn't be a problem. An oil and filter change, and then on to fixing other problems. Did I mention that she sat for 2 years? I'm expecting to have to replace the injectors as well.
jr
All this started because of a small exhaust leak at the flange, and an annoying rattle that I thought might be the pre-cat innards breaking up. Anyway, it'll go back together in the AM, minus the rattly heat shield on the main cat. It's gutted, so heat shouldn't be a problem. An oil and filter change, and then on to fixing other problems. Did I mention that she sat for 2 years? I'm expecting to have to replace the injectors as well.
jr