Ever replace your up-pipes?

[Tail_Gunner]

I was wondering if anybody here has ever replaced the up-pipes on a 7.3.

I'd heard that Chevy small block exhaust dougnut gaskets will work and are better to use than OEM style 7.3 doughnut gaskets because they are thicker and more durable.

Can anybody comment on:
How long and how hard was the job?
Any tricks that helped?

Thanks.

 

[txastuff79]

ive replaced both sides twice. and i only have 64k. its a common repair. only once was it actually needed. the other time i saw the wear when i changed turbos.both pipes and donuts for around 100. not to bad. i advise getting new bolts, nuts, and washers. save yourself some time. frozen up, stripped, they break, etc.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

ive replaced both sides twice. and i only have 64k. its a common repair. only once was it actually needed. the other time i saw the wear when i changed turbos.both pipes and donuts for around 100. not to bad. i advise getting new bolts, nuts, and washers. save yourself some time. frozen up, stripped, they break, etc.

I was thinking of just cutting the bolts with a pneumatic cutoff wheel and maybe even cutting the pipes, if needed, to get them off.

How did you get it all back together? I was thinking of mounting the "Y" pipe to the turbo and then installing the up-pipes, tightening the bolts only after everything was in place.

About how long did it take?

 

[txastuff79]

i cut the bolts. i planned on replacing them anyways so i saved myself some time. the ones on the y pipe i started spraying them with tons of pb blater days in advance a lil smoke is worth it to have them freed up. i stripped two bolts off. one on each side. luckily, i got a set of bolt head easy out sockets that grab and twist. will try to post a link to them. you can get them from sears as well. mine are matco. i snugged everything down before final tightening to help aide in no leaks.

 

[txastuff79]

Craftsman 13 pc. Bolt Out™ Set - Model 52162 at Sears.com

try this link

 

[SMOKNZ]

Where is the best place to get the replacement parts?

 

[txastuff79]

i bought mine all at the dealership except the bolts and nuts. i bought them at lowes. two up pipes and two crush donuts less than 100. bolts i think less then 5. i bot the strongest ones i could get. grade 8 is what i got i think.