Side Pipe Question

Trueoo7 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-23-2003, 08:26 PM

Since I bought my car (BDR) as a turnkey I would like to know if the side pipes are installed on the car by inserting them through the hole in the body from the outside or are they inserted from the inside through the engine compartment out through the hole to the outside. The reason I ask is it seems I have a leak at the joint inbetween the headers and side pipes. I have 4 into 4 and was also wondering if there is a gasket there as well that could have blown out. After looking at the situation it looks like the flange on the sidepipes won't fit through the hole in the body. It may just be my eyes playing tricks but it would help to know before I start. There is one bolt in the flange that is upside down as opposed to the rest of them and thats where it seems to be leaking.

Thanks
Trueoo7

Clois Harlan · #2 (**permalink**) 12-24-2003, 06:00 AM

True,

Uncertain how your pipes connect through your fender but I would recommend that you unbolt them and use some of the RED HI-TEMP Permatex on the flanges that bolts your headers to your side pipes. Follow the directions on the tube and let the compound set up before you re-tall your side pipes to your headers. This solved my leaking exhaust problem.

Clois

Blittleton · #3 (**permalink**) 12-26-2003, 12:54 PM

True007, they are installed from the outside in. They will leak for a little while until they seal themselves. There isn't any gasket, I had the same questions with my BDR. Did you get your sidepipes straight along the car? I'm still having trouble in that area. If you need some more info, let me know.

Trueoo7 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2003, 08:54 PM

Blittleton
Funny you should ask that question. Someone pointed that out to me. The passenger side looks straight as an arrow, even spacing along the side of the car but the drivers side (end of pipe)seems to trail out from the car. Probably about 1" at the begining and by the end it is out about 1 3/4", I didn't notice it at first but I do now that its been pointed out to me. There doesn't seem to be an adjustment and even if there was it would probably put the pipe in a constant bind as it seems very tight to move.

Boudy · #5 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 06:45 AM

Actually, adjusting the sidepipe is not too difficult. The headers are mild steel which tend to bind when moved cold. However, if you fire the car up and get the headers really, really hot and put pressure on the pipe until they cool, it will hold that position.

Not too technical of a fix, but hey, it works.

Boudy

Lowell W · #6 (**permalink**) 12-31-2003, 08:17 AM

Boudy,

Now THAT'S what I come here for: little pearls of information you won't find elsewhere. Well, that and the constant entertainment.

Not a problem with my Cobra, but I have headers and glasspacks on my snowplow Jeep (it's a northern thing-you wouldn't understand!), as it was the cheapest way to replace the exhaust system. The header on the passenger's side hits on something underneath and it's impossible to bend the headers, due to the rubber motor mounts, etc. I'll try your method. Thanks!

Nuke427 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-01-2004, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blittleton

True007, they are installed from the outside in. They will leak for a little while until they seal themselves. There isn't any gasket, I had the same questions with my BDR. Did you get your sidepipes straight along the car? I'm still having trouble in that area. If you need some more info, let me know.

If you don't have a gasket you need to get some. Mine have gaskets and have never leaked and I've had the passenger side off and back on re-using the same gasket.

bullseyeprec · #8 (**permalink**) 01-04-2004, 07:49 PM

Anthem motors had same problem with mine and they ran the car to heat up the pipes and adjusted them pefrect. I know he did it with the pipes warm as he mentioned it on the phone with me. So heat them up!!!!

tfarhood · #9 (**permalink**) 01-27-2004, 05:44 PM

Ok, back to the top. There is one vote for gaskets, one vote for no gaskets, and one vote for red high temp sealer. Which is correct, I need to know very soon

Boudy · #10 (**permalink**) 01-27-2004, 07:15 PM

I have gaskets on my demo, which also has the old style header flanges. However, Clois is right, the red sealer works fine as well. I would not chose nothing at all, it's sure to leak.

Boudy

Cobra75 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-28-2004, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tfarhood

Ok, back to the top. There is one vote for gaskets, one vote for no gaskets, and one vote for red high temp sealer. Which is correct, I need to know very soon

Tom,
Since your pipes do not have a flange to hold a gasket like the "old style", I vote for the red RTV!

machineman · #12 (**permalink**) 01-28-2004, 09:01 PM