Got my SSIs installed, And I'm bummed -- UPDATED w/ pics Options

[Lavanaut]

Something's not right. Smells like exhuast in the cabin, and a very slight backfire has developed on the left side...like a very subtle 'pop pop pop' at idle, and a more pronounced, single 'POP' on decel around 2800-3100 RPM. I've got it paired up to a Triad exhaust. What gives?

I swore to my wife that I wouldn't have the car up on ramps for a while since I just pulled it down (after 2.5 months) 2 days ago, so I took it to a custom exhaust place here in town and had them do the install. They said I needed new hoses (parts 21 & 23 here, hope you don't mind George!). The original ones were put back on, but they're pretty deteriorated and have small holes/cuts in them. Could that be it? I wish I understood how heat exchangers worked. I did a search on google hoping to learn just that but came up empty.

Yes, I realize that if there's exhaust pouring into the cabin it could potentially be fatal. I drove the car home with the windows down. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I intend to contact the shop today, but was hoping to get some feedback from you all first.

Thanks in advance

Reid

[Rand]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Smelling fumes in the cabin and backfiring/popping both point to leaks. Look it over... if you find holes, they can be patched. Bummer is they can be hidden by the HE tin.

[Allan]

Sounds like an exhaust leak where the h/e's meet the head. Drop the exchangers and get a BIG ass flat file. Take a sharpie and color the end of the flanges. Then take the file and run it across BOTH flanges at the same time until the sharpie is gone. Then file off the same amount of the top of the mounting tabs. Make sure the sealing area on the head is clean and not buggered up. Get new copper gaskest and re-install.

You may also have some residual oil in the tin that is burning off.

The pop-pop-pop at idle sounds like an exhaust leak though.

[McMark]

SSIs are a PAIN IN THE ASS to fit. Every set I've worked with takes a careful eye to make sure they're actually seating on the gaskets and not getting hung up on the heads.

[jaminM3]

Did the shop even replace the copper gaskets? I always worry about shops that don't specialize on these cars or have some familiarity at least.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[2-OH!]

Is it exhaust or residual oil burning off the Heat Exchangers...If you have an oil leak, it will blow up onto the exchangers or leak out of the valve cover, or drop down from the push rod tubes, etc...Still not good for you to breath but different that exhaust gases...Soak the HE's and then smolder as the HE's get hot...

How old are the exchangers...

2-OH!

[Hammy]

Did the shop even replace the copper gaskets? I always worry about shops that don't specialize on these cars or have some familiarity at least.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Do you know if they replaced the gaskets? I'm guessing they just threw the exhaust up on there and tightened things down. It takes some time/precision to ensure no exhaust leaks...

[rhodyguy]

old oil in the heat chambers stinks to high heaven when they get hot . run a can or 2 of brake cleaner thru them. rinse with soapy water. they're stainless so they aren't going to rust. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) do the file thing. LONG, WIDE file, don't grind on them, light passes hitting both pipe tops at the same time. on the install, start all 4 nuts, press the he tight to the head so there's no rocking, torque them in a few stages, in a x pattern, similar to doing lug bolts. left behind o-ring? forget one? be patient, you'll get it.

k

[Spoke]

old oil in the heat chambers stinks to high heaven when they get hot .

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

I have a 1.8L engine to put in the 71 and when I first ran the engine while out of the car, the first start-up scared the crap out of me. Smoke was billowing out of the heat exchangers! I shut the engine down and investigated.

The best I could figure out was the inside of the SSHE were coated with old oil from the engine sitting. It took about 10-15 minutes of running the engine before the visible smoke cleared out of the HE's.

I'm sure the smell is still there as the engine hasn't been installed yet.

The intake for the HE's is above the engine right by where the oil breather is. Is the oil breather vented properly? Also, how about the gaskets around the engine tin? Any leak like that will allow engine fumes to enter the cabin.

Spoke

[Lavanaut]

Wow great feedback. As far as I know they did replace the gaskets. I have to assume they did ~ I provided them, and I told them I wanted to keep the old hardware they pulled off (to make sure they didn't reuse what was already on there). When I showed up, my stock HEs were sitting there along with a box of nuts and the old gaskets. I do believe the new ones are on there.

So, my car does leak oil (can you believe that?). The theories posted here about oil being the issue, while possible, don't account for the subtle backfire that accompanies the exhaust smell. Occam's razor ~ I think the two are related. And since an exhuast leak would cause both, that's seeming like the most likely problem. Had I known that they were so difficult to fit, I would have at least warned the guy. Hmm. I think I'll call him and see what he says. Maybe they'll re-fit them for free (yeah right).

Here're a couple pics. See anything interesting/disturbing? Let me know. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Friday! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Reid

[Lavanaut]

Another. First time I've had my car on a lift, pretty cool to see.

[Lavanaut]

Last one

[cassidy_bolger]

All I can say is, let me know if you drive over to Portland, I want to hear what your setup sounds like!

Good luck getting it sorted.

[Tom]

Noticed that your muffler bracket is different than mine. Mine goes to the rear of the muffler instead of in front like yours. I went down to see Dave at Triad several months ago and he did some work on my bracket to make it fit closer to the bolts, was almost like it was a little short in width. He seemed to think it was OK the way it was. I guess I got lucky with mine, no leaks and no popping. You might want to call Dave and see if he has some ideas. The number on his web site is still good, at least it was a few weeks ago.
Tom

[swl]

Warning - possible bad info. Gearheads please flame this down if it is BS.

During safety checks I see the mechanics stop off the exhaust with a bung. If the exhaust is tight the car will almost stall. If there is a leak it because obvious where it is.

[Rand]

Warning - possible bad info. Gearheads please flame this down if it is BS.

During safety checks I see the mechanics stop off the exhaust with a bung. If the exhaust is tight the car will almost stall. If there is a leak it because obvious where it is.

I don't like the sounds of that. I would never assume that I had no leaks if the car choked after blocking off a major pipe. Would you expect a car to run through a couple of bad gaskets and pin holes?

But if it was a controlled back pressure that could be dialed down, I suppose it would expose the leaks.

I'm just blabbing though... Sorta fits when I think about it: Kinda like if I was holding my hand over my mouth and you're hearing what was coming out my ears and backside. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[swl]

My sample space is precisely 1 - that's why I put the warning on. But it did locate a leak on #1 exhaust manifold. And caused me to fail the safety (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) My thinking is that if the leak is substantial enough to cause pocking it is probably big enough that the bunging should help to locate it.

[Andyrew]

Steve you do have a good idea, but I dont think you said it clearly.

The point here is to try and stifle the noise and force the air out any other direction, if there was a pinhole leak, some preasure from the exaust would make that leak more noticable(audiblely) when looking for it.

[r_towle]

I use my shoe.

Start the car, sit down behind.
Put a shoe on each tail pipe.
Push till your foot is holding one completely closed (the exhaust will come out the other one) and then close the other one till you hear the leak...and which side its coming from.

I have never been luck getting the HE's to sit flat on the head on the first try...and I always do it without the muffler.
Then after I KNOW (see sneaker test above) that the head is not leaking, I attach the muffler.

Good luck.
Rich

[swl]

Lol - with that triad exhaust the shoe trick would be interesting. I have the image of lieing on your back with your legs splayed. Do not be wearing yer kilt laddie!