mmcpeck

Replacing the exhaust on my '92 3VZE from the manifold all the way back.

Just wondering what you guys think the chances are of one or more of the 3 studs on the manifold breaking when I try to remove the old front/down pipe, which could possibly be original, as the truck only has 106K on it.

Just want to see if they are generally pretty sturdy, or if I should plan on getting some new studs. They don't look rusted at all really, some slight surface rust, but nothing bad at all.

Thanks.

MaK92-4RnR

replacing the manifolds or throwing headers on it?

mmcpeck

Keeping the manifolds, just replacing from the driver side manifold all the way back. Keeping it stock for now, just have to replace because it is falling apart and it won't pass emissions inspection the way it is now.

I guess I titled this post wrong actually, I'm not replacing the full exhaust system, just from the driver side manifold back.

4x4climber

get some pb blaster. soak overnite. then take it apart. you shouldn't have any problems.

mmcpeck

Thanks, already soaking, and will be for another day before I get to it.

4x4climber

if you are gonna soak em for more then a day might as well spray it a couple times just cuz. lol..

BigSwole

Why not the header while you have it all apart? I don't have the 3.0 but I've read those are a contributing factor to hg problems. and since the truck is still young why not nip it before it starts?

mmcpeck

Replacing from the manifold back is a hell of a lot easier than pulling both manifolds and a crossover and putting headers in. This would be even more true if the guy at the damn auto parts store would give me the right parts.

Take a look at these pics and tell me if I'm missing something. My down pipe from the manifold right now has a bracket welded onto it (well it used to be welded, now it's rusted off) and that bracket has two bolts that mount into the back of the tranny, this is the 1st pic. The 2nd pic is what the guy at the parts store gave me. I don't even see how that hanger bracket would work at all in my truck. Not to mention the intermediate pipe he gave me is like 6"-8" too short, probably for the reg cab and not the ext cab that I have.

Also one last quick question, do the exhaust donuts they give you crush down completely when you tighten down the bolts, like at the manifold and CAT or do they leave a space? It's been years since I did a full exhaust and I can't remember how the donuts work. Just need to know so I can figure out the length of bolt I need to bolt the CAT in.

dntsdad

You want to use the factory bracket for support or modify it to fit your new system. The crossov could crack without it.
I don't believe it was welded. Probably a clamp.

mmcpeck

So that bracket was never welded to the down pipe? That bracket is only there to clamp something around it?

Even so, it doesn't seem like the aftermarket clamp will fit around it right.

Any input on the donuts, do the crush completely down when tightened?

Thanks.

eric924run

Yes it was clamped from the factory with basicaly a large hose clamp. pry the aftermarket crap off and get a big hose clamp.

mmcpeck

Alright thanks guys, I'll get a clamp worked out for that bracket.

I know it's a stupid question, but with the donuts, how much should they crush, all the way until the flanges are meeting or just tighten enough to crush it a bit and it will seal?

It's been a while since I did exhaust work and I can't remember what to do with those donuts. I know they crush and are one time use, but can't remember how hard to tighten and crush them.

Thanks.

eric924run

tighten all the way. the flanges should end up meeting, the dougnuts will crush all the way. if you got some wd-40, i like to spray the treads at lest on the old studs befor putting on the nuts

mmcpeck

Cool, thanks for the advise man.