>> I decided to do a good deed and change the rusted center pipe on my
>> inlaws 88 Accord. Of course this is turning into a bigger job than
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> can seperate the pipe from the converter, you should be in business for
> replacement.
The bolts between converter and center pipe (Pipe B) are actually
separate, and are called "converter bolts". On my 94 Civic these are
specialty bolts (not cheap, same for the 88 Accord) that have a thin,
flat head and "ridged" spine designed to grip in the holes in the
converter and help prevent the bolt from turning as you apply the nut.
I tried to get mine out but found that the rust was more than I could
handle with my equipment. Mechanic charged me $75 to do it. Maybe try
heat and hammering them out with a punch from the Pipe B side? Just be
careful not to pound so hard that you damage either the cat or Pipe A,
both of which cost a lot. Might be better to drill them out.
Alex Rodriguez - 14 Jul 2005 03:26 GMT
>The bolts between converter and center pipe (Pipe B) are actually
>separate, and are called "converter bolts". On my 94 Civic these are
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>careful not to pound so hard that you damage either the cat or Pipe A,
>both of which cost a lot. Might be better to drill them out.
Thanks for the tip. I tried pounding on the bolts with a hammer, not a big
one, and they bolts would not budge. I tried drilling them out, but my drill
bits were not up to the task. I'm going to buy a couple of decent bits before
I try again this weekend. Since I am going to drill them out, I'm not going to
bother with the special bolts.
----------------
Alex
jim beam - 14 Jul 2005 03:49 GMT
>>The bolts between converter and center pipe (Pipe B) are actually
>>separate, and are called "converter bolts". On my 94 Civic these are
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Alex
>
ordinary bolts will soften & creep at high temperature. and the exit of
the cat is /very/ high temperature!
HLS@nospam.nix - 14 Jul 2005 20:01 GMT
> ordinary bolts will soften & creep at high temperature. and the exit of
> the cat is /very/ high temperature!
What is the difference between ordinary bolts and the ones you refer to,
Jim?
SoCalMike - 14 Jul 2005 22:36 GMT
>>ordinary bolts will soften & creep at high temperature. and the exit of
>>the cat is /very/ high temperature!
>
> What is the difference between ordinary bolts and the ones you refer to,
> Jim?
the OEM bolts are splined to stay snug in the hole. right?
Abeness - 15 Jul 2005 00:33 GMT
>>> ordinary bolts will soften & creep at high temperature. and the exit of
>>> the cat is /very/ high temperature!
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>>
> the OEM bolts are splined to stay snug in the hole. right?
Ahh, is THAT what it's called. Yes, they are splined. The shop that got
the old ones out for me was apparently able to get them out without
making the holes too big to grip the spline--I'd be careful about that
if you're drilling them out. Pretty heavy-duty little suckers,
too--though short, they weigh several ounces at least (3 of 'em,
anyway). No wonder they were some $7 each.
jim beam - 15 Jul 2005 01:36 GMT
>>ordinary bolts will soften & creep at high temperature. and the exit of
>>the cat is /very/ high temperature!
>
> What is the difference between ordinary bolts and the ones you refer to,
> Jim?
should be an alloy better able to take the temp. if you go to extremes,
you use cast components too.
>the bolts are captive & come with the pipe. oem pipe anyway. if you
>can seperate the pipe from the converter, you should be in business for
>replacement.
I got the pipe off after much effort. Unfortunately it looks like the bolts
are captive on the cat converter, which I am not changing. I guess I will be
grinding and drilling. I hope there is enough room to put in bolts once I
grind them off. Thanks.
------------------
Alex