Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) help with ex. manifold and turbo removal

[Tom Trujillo]

Ok geniuses. And I use that term very respectfully because this is the best palce for CTD help!!!!



I just cut away my old exhaust for a new 4" stainless, and in the process I am going to put in an ATS Manifold. Sooooo - here is the situation. I cant get the four bolts / nuts on the turbo flange to budge and I cant quite get a socket into the two lower manifold bolts (immediately behind the turbo) with any leverage or fit. I am afraid I might be starting to round the bolds.



One more thing, when I disconnected the oil drain hose / pipe from the turbo, no oil came out. Is this normal? Since the manual says to prime the turbo before startup, I would have thought there would have been at least some oil in there.



Any suggestions would be apreciated.



Tom

 

[bmoeller]

On the turbo drain question, that is normal. Nothing to be concerned with. It drains out. Just residual oil at start up. That is part of the reason to not rev it up right away. You should still put so oil in the inlet, and spin the shaft by hand, before installing the supply line.



On the bolts, did you use PB Blaster or something similar on them? Helps considerably. What I've had to do a few times, is to use 2 combination wrenches together for enough leverage. Can be tricky, but doable.



Make sure to use anti-seize on the bolts and on the joints on the ATS manifold. Also, double check the manifold bolts for the first few days. They may work loose. Mine did.

 

[Tom Trujillo]

Thanks for the info. What is PBBlaster? Never heard of it. Been using WD40 on the bolts. Tom

 

[hsmith]

Good reply. Works for me too!

 

[Tom Trujillo]

Never mind, I found out what pb blaster is. Supposedly

Napa carries it so maybe tomorrow I can find some. Tom

 

[WDixon27]

pb blaster makes wd40 look like crap on rusty bolts, it's also a good lube, it's avalable at most parts stores

Thanks for the info. What is PBBlaster? Never heard of it. Been using WD40 on the bolts. Tom

 

[Tom Trujillo]

Its Done!

ATS Manifold and 4"exhaust. Going to the muffler shop to button it all up in the morning. I will never, ever, deal with an ATS manifold again. What a pain in the %$&. Had to modifly the top center section holes to get it installed as ALL bolts would engage the head except the top left of the center section. Made the holes a little bigger (top center holes only) and then used studs on those two.



If I can figure out how to attach a before and after image I will, if not, will figure it out tomorrw.



By the way, would not have gotten done without the wife's help! Theres even a few images of her spinning wrenches and wrestling with the ATS. What a pain this was.



Tom

 

[DieselMinded]

Well if anyone is every having trouble with a ATS install Ill be sure to link them the picks you posted ... ... ...



:>



Very Cool !!!!



DM

 

[hsmith]

ATS Manifold and 4"exhaust. Going to the muffler shop to button it all up in the morning. I will never, ever, deal with an ATS manifold again. What a pain in the %$&. Had to modifly the top center section holes to get it installed as ALL bolts would engage the head except the top left of the center section. Made the holes a little bigger (top center holes only) and then used studs on those two.



If I can figure out how to attach a before and after image I will, if not, will figure it out tomorrw.



By the way, would not have gotten done without the wife's help! Theres even a few images of her spinning wrenches and wrestling with the ATS. What a pain this was.



Tom

I have installed several, mine included, with no glitches at all. Maybe you got a bad casting?

 

[Tom Trujillo]

I have installed several, mine included, with no glitches at all. Maybe you got a bad casting?

Maybe - I suspect if there ever is a next one it would go easier. I just think the whole 3pc design is problematic at best. One shot at getting it right is not good for the nerves, and, even if you use the original straight manifold (mine was) its not a guaranteed fit. My wife was also not pleased at the stench of hot oily metal eminating from her oven!



The wierd part about it was that ALL bolts lined up and screwed in. All except that middle section top left. Must have been drilled a little off at the factory. And of course after getting all the bolts but one on, the last thing you want to do (least the last thing I want to do) is take it off so that something else doesn't line up.



Well, at least its done. Oo.

 

[bmoeller]

I had very little trouble assembling mine. These go together MUCH easier than John Deere manifolds. I put the outer pieces in the shop freezer, and put the center section on a spare tire that was in the sun. No need to use the oven.



I could sort of use my old manifold as a guide. The old one had shrunk on me. No trouble with the holes either. That is weird.