I am replacing both mufflers (silencers), what a rusted mess.
If I ever get the self-locking bolts out of the seal between the catalytic converter and the center muffler-

-Any tips on this (they are like solid rust in their) the mufflers are off as are both broken pipes pieces. Do I need to grind and drill out these bolts? Are the bolts a fixed (part of) to the catalytic side of the clamp, They just dont want to budge.

-What kind of seals do I need, are there two or just one, each pipe is different.

-When I reassemble should I anti-seize? everything before or after torque?

Thanks in advance
Marty

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html

bump it out of desperation

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html

Definetly use anti-sieze. Consider a torch. Sorry, I can't hep you on the other difficulties. Good luck.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Thanks for your response wbain5280

I have tried propane on the one bracket that slides (ha) off the pipe.
Their is hardened silver stuff about that can be scraped off,I wonder if it is anti-sieze.
The other brracket is behind a flange on the pipe and cant be replaced?

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html

Turns out it is the gasket for one of the two pipes.

Torch and torque combo got the bolts out of the removeable bracket.
Now back under the car to work on the other where space is precious. Ramps say the lift is king. I wish the king were here.

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html

I used a Dremel tool and a cutoff disk to cut the bolt I could reach, then tapped the rings around to cut the other side off.

You can sometimes just slit the the nut and the resultant clearance and heat from the cutoff disk will loosen it up enough to let it turn.

You may need to heat the ring to drive the bolt out, they can get stuck too.

You will probably need to slit the right side "slip joint" connection pipe on the front mufler to catalytic converter connection, it will not slide off, usually firmly rusted in place. You can do with with a small torch -- heat a line down the bottom of the pipe red hot, then turn the oxygen up and hold the torch about 20 degrees off parallel and burn the hot strip out -- this will leave the inner pipe untouched. Or, since this requires much more space and techinque than most of us have, use the Dremmel with a cutoff wheel to cut two slits in the pipe about a quarter inch apart, then peel that strip back and bend the "sides" back a bit -- pipe will fall right off.

This is a royal pain on the ground under a car, believe me!

Going back in, install the front muffler with clamps, but leave them loose, then install rear muffler, leave loose.

Hang complete exhaust (use new rubber, the old bits allow it to droop too much), then tighten the solid steel butt joint on the front muffler to cat clamp, leave the "fiber" one loose, then tighten the rear muffler to front muffler clamp, then last the fiber one.

The difference will be dramatic! Only problem is that now you will hear all sorts of noises you didn't before, and will probably next be replacing suspension links in the rear!

peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!