y-pipe installation HELP & how much precat to 'gut'?

[99CouGSweetRide]

I'm trying to get off my stock y-pipe...I got all the nuts off...but for some reason I can't pull the y-pipe down off the bolts. It's loose and I can shake it around, but it just doesn't wanna come off. ??

Mike

[mcon99]

make sure the O2 senors are disconnected

and pull harder

[99CouGSweetRide]

k got it for some reason Ford decided it would be funny to bend the bolts outward so you have to take one side off at a time. anyway i got it. now in the process of gutting my precats. How do you know when you've got all the crap out of the one where you have to drill the hole into it?

Mike

[B3NN3TT]

Be creative with a flashlight. Look through the hole while pointing a light directly into the manifold ports. You should be able to see the inner walls of the cat chamber if it's clean. MAKE SURE YOU GET IT ALL.

[JohnnyRed]

I do not believe he took off his front manifold.....if that's the case. Good luck. Otherwise try to get creative.

[99CouGSweetRide]

nah it was still on the car. I got a lot out but I don't think I got all of it. I'm definitely going to take it apart again and try to get the rest out this week. Those stupid bucket handles in the drill do not work so well....they twist very easily. I need something else to jam up in there and break that crap up...

Mike

[mcon99]

you gutted your front precat with it still on the car?

I hope nothing fell back into your exhaust valves...

[EllenD]

I did it that way. Basically it takes forever, and when the second piece of steel-wool falls out (there are two), you know you're close. Then do the edges very carefully and you should be able to get it all. And don't use a bucket handle, use a thicker, stiffer piece of wire. I actually also used the shop-vac attachment and sucked out what I had drilled out every so often. Take your time and you'll get it all.

[CougarGT]

I hope the rest of the front cat falls out and clogs your main cat

[99CouGSweetRide]

Originally posted by: CougarGT
I hope the rest of the front cat falls out and clogs your main cat

gee thanks. if that happens i'm throwing this car in the garbage.

Mike