AnytownUSA
Well-known member
Hey folks,
I have rectified my clutch issue, reinstalled the transmission and now I'm having troubles putting the exhaust back in. The car is on four jackstands in my garage. Its been there for 5 years while we were coping with layoff threats and popping out babies. I'm trying to get it back on the road again before I become one of those "oh, I'm gonna fix that up one of these days" guys.
On the passenger (right) side, one of the exhaust studs at the catalytic converter inlet broke off flush with the flange on the exhaust manifold. Of course it's the one that is blocked by the short frame member. Can I pull this frame piece off without causing any misalignments in the unibody? I have drilled a hole through the stud, but since the frame piece is there the hole is not straight/vertical. I thought about pulling the manifold off the head but I'm worried about those bolts breaking. Plus, that doesn't look like that much fun annyway. I am trying to slowly chew the stud out of the flange with a cutting tool on my Dremel. It's taking a really long time and I'm afraid of damaging the treads in the flange - which would mean I'd have to re-tap the hole that is blocked by the frame member. Any ideas?
Also, on the drive's (left) side, there are two bolts that tie the cat to the transmission/bellhousing. I don't know how I ever got the top one out because I cannot get it lined up to go back in. Any tricks with this? Please do not tell me I should have put that on the tranny before I put the tranny back in. I will leave the bolt off in that case; I'm considering shortening the bolt about 1/4" so I can get it started in the hole. Any one who has made this mistake must remember how they got around it. Please help me.
I'll address that fact that my clutch pedal is so stiff I can't even move it later. Man I miss driving this car.
I have rectified my clutch issue, reinstalled the transmission and now I'm having troubles putting the exhaust back in. The car is on four jackstands in my garage. Its been there for 5 years while we were coping with layoff threats and popping out babies. I'm trying to get it back on the road again before I become one of those "oh, I'm gonna fix that up one of these days" guys.
On the passenger (right) side, one of the exhaust studs at the catalytic converter inlet broke off flush with the flange on the exhaust manifold. Of course it's the one that is blocked by the short frame member. Can I pull this frame piece off without causing any misalignments in the unibody? I have drilled a hole through the stud, but since the frame piece is there the hole is not straight/vertical. I thought about pulling the manifold off the head but I'm worried about those bolts breaking. Plus, that doesn't look like that much fun annyway. I am trying to slowly chew the stud out of the flange with a cutting tool on my Dremel. It's taking a really long time and I'm afraid of damaging the treads in the flange - which would mean I'd have to re-tap the hole that is blocked by the frame member. Any ideas?
Also, on the drive's (left) side, there are two bolts that tie the cat to the transmission/bellhousing. I don't know how I ever got the top one out because I cannot get it lined up to go back in. Any tricks with this? Please do not tell me I should have put that on the tranny before I put the tranny back in. I will leave the bolt off in that case; I'm considering shortening the bolt about 1/4" so I can get it started in the hole. Any one who has made this mistake must remember how they got around it. Please help me.
I'll address that fact that my clutch pedal is so stiff I can't even move it later. Man I miss driving this car.