Next, temporarily position the muffler so that it is fully
seated on the right side tail pipe. Flowmaster mufflers
have a tapered
inlet/outlet which ensure the pipe will not protrude
into the muffler body, changing performance and flow characteristics.
Make sure your pipes are inserted until they bottom out
against the taper. |
Mark where to cut the intermediate pipe. Note that the
mark is made to leave enough pipe for full insertion into
the muffler inlet. |
Greg cuts the intermediate pipe to size. If this is done
with a hacksaw or Sawzall be sure to dress the cut end
so that the it slips into the muffler completely. |
With the intermediate pipe loosly clamped into the converter
adapter pipe and clamped, the muffler is positioned into
place. |
Greg offers a couple of tips on how to establish a leak-free
clamp together exhaust. First, clamp right near the edge
of the outside pipe, not in the center of the joint. He
says clamping away from the edge causes the pipe to flare
and results in leaks. His second bit of advice is to torque
the nuts VERY tight. |
The Flowmaster kit includes two muffler hanger/clamp assemblies.
While we couldn't see the difference between the two,
the part numbers indicate a right and a left side. |
Each clamp is slipped over the muffler outlet and then
supported by the existing rubber hanger. We had trouble
getting one of the clamps to fit properly (seemed too
long) and ended up cutting the hanger bar and rewelding
it to the clamp. We can only presume that the truck Flowmaster
used to design this system had a slightly different factory
hanger than our F150. |
Once the muffler is in position and level the intermediate
pipe clamp is torqued down. Many kits instruct to leave
all the clamps loose until the entire system is together.
Greg feels this is bad advice as you'll be fighting pipe
and muffler alignment through the entire install. |
The right side tail pipe can now go back into position. |
The left side tailpipe is a bit more challenging. Greg
tried to snake it in without removing the spare but no
go. |
When in doubt even the best are resigned to reading the
instructions! Sure enough they say the spare must be dropped
to get the left tail pipe over the axle.
|
With the spare out of the way the tail pipe goes into
place like butter. |
The left tailpipe is hung using the supplied hanger. It
bolts in to one of the oval slots in the frame. |
Check the brake lines and axle vent hose for sufficient
clearance around the tail pipe. |
With the tail pipes located into the muffler the clamps
are tightened down completely. |
Slide the tips onto the tail pipes and then take a moment
to measure up both sides to ensure proper alignment and
symmetry. Since the tips are what is seen this is where
a little patience and attention to detail will make the
difference. |
When you're satisfied with the tip placement clamp them
into place using the supplied 2-1/2" clamps. |
Greg recommends putting a little tack weld on the tip
and tail pipe to keep the tips from falling off due to
vibration or the clamp coming loose. |
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