SIde pipe alignment

OhBuoy · #1 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 12:34 PM

OK, this might apply more to a new post of mounting the sidepipes, but I am going to append it here. My drivers side pipe went in without much of a problem. The passenger side pipe, when bolted up tight to the flange of the header, is about 2" low at the rear mount point. I have rechecked the engine for level at the top bellhousing bolts, and it is fairly dead on. Rechecked the frame on the stands to make sure that it is level (making sure that the engine is truly level) and it is. Any ideas?

If I pull up on the pipe, I can get it within 3/4" of the mount, but that is stressing the glange points, and popping the engine up.

I have also tried the 5/16" bolts as recommended. While this gets me almost there, it is still not enough. This side really seems skewed, while the drivers side is fine. Is it the headers (hope not, I paid to have them ceramic coated locally), the side pipes, the engine, the installer? Help.

Tom

Dana E · #2 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 08:57 PM

On my car, there is a spacer between the header and the sidepipe. The spacers were a different thickness end to end. You might try rotating the spacer and see if the sidepipes fit better. I think I had to drill the holes larger in the header and the sidepipe to get them to fit.

jams · #3 (**permalink**) 04-08-2003, 11:15 AM

I had the same exact problem. Solution drill out the holes to make them a little larger. This will give you some play to move the sidepipes to their correct location.

Good Luck

Slow Dawg · #4 (**permalink**) 04-08-2003, 07:02 PM

Tom, let's try this for starters. Does the driver side act like it wants to point up slightly? If so, you have your headers reversed. If not, send a picture of the header with and without the sidepipe. May try to figger-it-out by looking at the pictures.

Ron

kiknasp · #5 (**permalink**) 04-13-2003, 09:05 PM

The corner cut out on the flanges goes in the top rear on the sidepipe and header. There is also a bushing that goes between the rear of the sidepipe and the frame bracket. No one mentioned that. That's going to make a difference.

The problem I've having now, is (on both sides) the rear of the pipes are too far away from the mount. I'm going to need an 1/8 " tapered shim between the headers and side pipes to align it properly. Any thoughts???
Ron, Do you guys (B&B) have the tapered shims on the shelf.
I planned on calling tomorrow anyway, but figured I'd ask.

Thx,
Mike

OhBuoy · #6 (**permalink**) 04-17-2003, 06:01 AM

OK, things look a little better now. Following another builders advice, I used the 5/16" stainless bolts. I left them finger tight and then snugged up the back mount. I then drew them in, and it looks like with some copper seal, I should have a good seal at the header flange. Thanks for the input guys. BTW, it is still a little stiff, but I think warming the engine up will relax it a little.

Tom