How the HECK do i get my Y Pipe off??

[ThaBlueRidge]

SOO I'm yankin the 2.9L and dropping in a nice clean low miles 4.0L. Pretty easy right? Same mounts, block, wiring harness. Piece of cake. Walk in the park. I'll be done by sunday, right? WRONG!! Jeez, those bolts must be in the most awkward place possible. I can get a rachet on one of the bolts (still can't get it to budge with PB blaster + propane though) but forget getting it on the engine side bolt. Man they don't look THAT rusted (...still they pretty rusted) but they're on their tight.

How did you guys handle the exhaust?? I can probably get two off on the y pipe -> cat but I don't know how I'd get the high one. I gave up pretty quick on the donor and just sawzalled right behind the flange on the cat side.

GAH WHAT DO?!

 

[adsm08]

It's tricky. I don't remember the exact method that I use enough to describe it. I could def do it again if I had to.

I do know that it involves a knuckle, 2 extensions, a shallow socket, and an impact gun. It's just a bad spot to try and reach on the ground.

 

[59bisquik]

I have an 86 B2 and used a 91 Sploder engine... Both only had one O2 sensor. I reused my B2 Y-pipe and just upgraded to the Explorer sensor.

 

[Shran]

I think I have got mine off a couple times with a lot of extensions and an impact. Maybe it was a ratchet with a cheater pipe, dunno... but it was a bitch. I broke at least one of the studs off in the manifold. I would HIGHLY recommend new studs for the 4.0.... I have done a couple engine swaps in the past where I cheaped out and tried to reuse them and regretted it.

 

[country0001]

Yup, its a b!tch. I broke all but one on my 4.0. Couldn't even get em drilled out. Used those fancy exhaust clamps( C clamps in a pinch) and all is good.

 

[ThaBlueRidge]

Ok, yeah I guess Ima get some extensions and see if I can get to em with the impact. Enough time and beer should solve this problem...

 

[bahndrvr]

I went through this last weekend, I used Heat like a mofo, and then extensions and a breaker bar, with the heat, just ended up breaking every damn bolt - no worries, getting grade 5 bolts in case I have to break them off again in the future, but due to this, and this alone, I'm putting a Bodylift on so I have easier access to them next time hahaha

Ok, that's not hte only reason but it comes into play

 

[ThaBlueRidge]

I'm putting a Bodylift on so I have easier access to them next time hahaha

Ok, that's not hte only reason but it comes into play

You know I've been toying with the idea of a bodylift so it will be easier to work on the truck. I'll let everyone know how I get the bolts out. Unfortunately I can't work on it everyday because its on the farm about 20 miles away.

 

[TexCaliBII]

Hey,
I just recently did this on my 88 B2. I could not get the top bolt on the Y-pipe/cat flange untill I got the whole thing out of the truck. Getting the bolts out of the manifolds required my 3/4 drive breaker, 1/2 drive extension(s), imapct swivel/socket and a long pipe as well as much cussing! My air gun just did not have the guts to attack these bolts. Once I had the y-pipe/cat out, after taking the motor mount nuts off and jacking the engine up tp clear the y-pipe between the crossmember and engine, I got the three bolts holding the y-pipe/cat apart with a torch and a hammered on 9/16 box end wrench. Like the other guys said, I replaced those bolts/nuts with grade 5 and lots of anti-sieze. That'll most likely burn off of course but man I'm willing to try anything to keep that battle from happening again. Good luck on yours.