has anyone ever taken off the collector pipe?

[deezelfromRofo]

I need to take off the collector pipe. I'm looking for some helpful hints or tricks. I know to spray everything with pb blaster ahead of time.I've already removed the turbo a couple of times so I'm good there. Thanks in advance. Josh

[deezelfromRofo]

The collector pipe is where the turbine housing connects. It has 2 bolts and 2 nuts tieing it together.I think they are 15mm. The collector pipe ties the manifolds together.

[lugnut1009]

I've done it the wrong way on a '02 7.3. It's not fun. But, I now know where I went wrong. You are supposed to disconnect the up pipes from the collector pipe before removing the turbo and install in reverse order. We tried just removing the turbo and leaving them on, then reinstalling the turbo to the collector pipe.

From what I've seen, It'd be better to go ahead and replace your up pipes with the International version. I think it's in the tech section or something, maybe 'Guzzles' page? Anyway, they don't use the packing style clamp at the collector pipe. They are one piece. Hard to explain, just check it out, I'll see if I can find a link to it.

[lugnut1009]

Welcome to Pocket's International UP-Pipe Replacement Web Page

Here ya go!

[deezelfromRofo]

Thanks lugnutt, hey buddy I'm removing them because the elbow fitting is loose where it ties into the drivers side head. Its where the wishbone fuel line ties in. I can't get it to turn to tighten it with the damn collector pipe in the way.

[deezelfromRofo]

Hey lug, that write up is for 99-03. I have a 97. Isn't there a difference?

[lugnut1009]

The turbo is bigger and harder to get to, but as far as I know they are the same.

[superduty4x4]

That write-up should work for you, the big difference between OBS and SD is the OBS uses a flanged "babys butt", aka collector where the SD uses a v-band style.

[strokin95style]

When re-installing everything, i would leave the up-pipes and collector loosely fitted. I did this to my 95 and tightened them up without even thinking. when i went to install the turbo, the pedistal would not sit on the engine squarely because the exhaust flange wasn't in the right spot. bolt the turbo/pedistal onto the engine, then tighten the collector up and then the up-pipes last. good luck.