Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Y-pipe installation = futility...need help also.

I set aside half the day to get under the car and put in my BAT y-pipe thats been sitting in my room for 2 weeks. Im steadily working, finally get the front banks nuts off, when I come to the rear bank nuts and post-cat nuts. I LIBERALLY spray them all with PB blaster, and wait 20 minutes. As I start to work on the rear bank nuts I find that theyre almost entirely rounded. Crescent wrench, vise grips, nothing did the job. Question 1 - How do I go about removing the nuts? (btw they arent seized on). Then i go back to the post-cat nuts (where the two flanges come together). The nuts and bolts are both seized horrendously. Looks like theyre almost welded to the flange (& inside the flange) its so bad. Question 2 - How can I separate the two flanges, while keeping the inside surface to the rear flange smooth (so a new gasket will seal properly), and how do I get the bolts out cause I need holes to be there for the new bolts supplied by BAT?

Im definitely taking it to an exhaust shop tomorrow, cause itll probably be 10x faster and less exasperating for me. Just need any input or suggestions.

Time for the blue flamed wrench (torch) my friend! Even if you don't end up cutting them out, use the heat on the bolts and then spray with your penetrating lube. As it contacts the heated surface it will draw the lube inward moreso than just spraying it on a cold piece.

Air cut off wheel...use new s/s nuts & bolts on the new y pipe.......

A good dose of anti-seize on the new bolts is also a good idea!

Stop busting those knuckles and wasting your time on stripped nuts... The new Sears Craftsman Miracle Socket will do the trick on rounded nuts. It has stainless steel fingers that fit snugly around even the toughest hard to reach areas and... wait a minute... ... did I turn into Bob Vila again? I gotta stop watching so much T.V....

Anyway, the Sears socket will do the trick if you haven't used one of the other methods yet, and it's still good to have one around even if you did. The Sears Miracle Socket is small enough to fit into your shirt pocket, but replaces all of these tools here... Keep one in your car, one in the boat, in your house, one in the....

It's slices, it dices, it juliennes!

Ahhh the fun awaiting you... but the performance will make it all worth it

Eric

Forget the socket...I'd just buy Band-Aid's...........

Don't forget the tetanus shot!