[markmitch]

OK so after talking to the local exhaust shop they quoted me $650.00 to build an exhaust for my van. I walked away quickly and started buying parts. Because my van is registered in a state that does not require me to have a catalytic converter
I bought a section of 3" steel exhaust tubing. a Y pipe from Summit, some 2.25 inch pipe and some bends the same size.
However due to the fact that one exhaust manifold is mid 90's and the other is mid 80's to fit in with my 98 AWD frame
I had to find custom parts to bolt it all up to the engine. I ordered two flanges from CarId.com and they only sent one
so now I have to wait for the other part shipped at there expense. I bought two down pipes to come from the manifolds
and a few different size donut gaskets from rockauto because they were less then a dollar each and I really don't know which ones will work in my situation. Exhaust will be as follows- 2.25 down to Y pipe then 3" from the Y to the back end of the muffler then a single factory 2.5 inch tailpipe that was used on the 94 HO 4.3 I am using a basic fully welded turbo from Summit. I chose this set up for less stuff under the van that can be knocked off if I go into rough trails.. The tailpipe is a walker 44472 if anyone is interested. Thanks for reading, Mark

 

[tungtide]

Are you doing the welding Mark? If so will it be TIG or MIG

 

[markmitch]

Yes I am welding it with a mig welder I am no expert so I watched a few you tube video's I will be running my 110 welder of a huge generator my neighbor is letting borrow.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

I am no expert either, but from industrial experience and many errors; Practice, Practice, Practice, on identical scrap material first!. That i the ONLY way to get the welder settings correct.
It is good to see the U-tube videos and great information, but it is no substitute for actual practice.

Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[markmitch]

I watched 1 video on eastwoods site for exhaust and he said to set it at its highest heat range and do a spot then let cool then another spot and so on so I will test that on an old piece in my metal pile.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

That is very good advice. Once you get three or four spots around the pipe, to hold it all together, you can remove the whole thing ( or sections) and finish welding on a bench or on sawhorses. Being able to rotate the assembly make a huge difference in the end result becasue you can be in a more comfortable position and control the gun more easily.
It is always very rewarding to me, to finish a welding project without it looking too amateurish.
I wish you the best of luck.
Rod J
Issaquah Wa

 

[markmitch]

Yeah I will use a sanding disc on a grinder to clean the welds then paint it all with high temp exhaust paint.

 

[markmitch]

 

[markmitch]

The item in the 3rd picture is the part they only sent one of when I ordered two.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

The item in the 3rd picture is the part they only sent one of when I ordered two.

That appears to be a pretty substantial shop you have there...lots of space. Nice!

 

[markmitch]

Its a huge barn but its all wood and was built in 1840 so I can't drive a vehicle in there. It has a basement/cellar but the cellar is only 6'5" tall floor to ceiling. My van with lift is over that. I set up a shop area inside to do the work but even then I don't dare to weld in there due to the wood being so old and dry. Basically I do all my work outside unless it's bench top work. I also set up some workout equipment I got free locally.

 

[WinnieVan]

Nice MM -- getting after it. Those welds will do for exhaust work.

 

[PrairieDog]

Looks Great.
Gonna sound even better!

 

[AstroWill]

I ordered two flanges from CarId.com

That was the first mistake

 

[markmitch]

Yeah I know but no one else had them for some reason. They used to be used on a lot of projects where things were changed to make things work after modifications. Oh well after I got the one part I realized it will not work on one of the manifolds so I took the manifold of and measure for the flange and found one very close on summit and ordered it. It was 10 bucks with shipping.