Sidepipe refurbishing

[WV66AC]

I need to sand and repaint my sidepipes. After an evening of fighting the various bolts to get them loose, the pipes are sleeved too tight to budge. Thus I feel that I have to sand/wire brush the pipes on the car and then paint. Your experience and suggestions are appreciated. After a spot wirebrush -- pipes are stainless steel (and I have high temperature motor block paint from a performance store). thanks. Has anyone used any of the sidepipe covers sold by Finish Line???

[Tim Brewer]

Keep trying, they'll come off. Man, if your pipes are stainless, I would or have someone polish those things. Try (after removing all the bolts) spraying like PB Blaster around the joints. Let that sit over night, use a propane or mapp gas torch on the larger diameter pipes and then try carefully beating with a rubber hammer. Don't use any type of high temp paint on your pipes, it will just come off and you'll have to start all over again. If you don't the polished look,(and it looks great!) get your pipes cerramic coated. Most powder coat places can do that.
Good luck,
Tim

[WV66AC]

Thanks -- the car is old and I don't want beat too much -- perhaps I can get them off at a fitting/connection -- closer to the engine and take the whole pipes from the header back for ceramic coating. Took for service and inspection yesterday -- finally figured out my squeak --- front bushings shot.

[speed220mph]

Soak the joints really good with WD-40 or an equivalent and let it sit overnight. Also, tap lightly around the joints with a soft mallet--access may be a problem. Anyway, the WD-40 should do the trick.

[d_ford]

WV...I had the same problem with my first ERA. The slip joints would get crusted up with build-up and I think maybe the pipes settled into one position and just had to be broken loose. The soft mallet idea worked for me along with just working them back and forth to break them loose.

[speed220mph]

WV, is that as in West by golly Virginia? Must be since I see Ravenswood as your location. Been through there many times. My brother lives "up the river" just east of Moundsville near the border with PA.

Having removed and installed the pipes on my car twice, I know what you're up against. As d_ford says, work them back and forth. But on installation, clean the slip joints with with a wire wheel or brush and coat them anti-seize to help rust-proof the mild steel. This will ensure the job will be a little easier the next time.

[Don]

" IF " you use a high temp black paint, an excellent product from Bill Hirsch:

http://www.hirschauto.com/acb/showpr...jectGroup_ID=8

" IF " looking at Ceramic Coating, highly recommended:

http://www.swaintech.com/race.html