MSA 3 into 2 Headers and Twice Pipes

[JonnyRock]

Haha, no prob. I couldn't get it to work in the video section, but it worked great here. I just used the "Forum hotlink" that they give you once you upload a video. Copy & Paste

[JonnyRock]

Balls. Looks like it'll have to wait till January. Fin Aid sucks. I'll keep ya updated.

[JonnyRock]

Today was a good day.

I stood in line @ the post office for 30min but was rewarded with my much anticipated package from Banzai Motorsports (www.zzxdatsun.com). It's an excellent (9 out of 10) condition 1970 Chassis Factory Service Manual. It completes my set, as the 70 FSMs came as a pair. I managed to steal my Engine FSM on eBay, only $20 plus shipping for a pristine example (9 out of 10). The Banzai manual was a reasonable $70+ $15 shipping.

After the post office, I made a stop by the local UPS depot and picked up my new copy of "How to Modify Your Nissan & Datsun OHC Engine." This completes my set of how-to books I picked up on Amazon.com (the others being "How to Restore Your Datsun Z-Car" and "How to Rebuild Your Nissan & Datsun OHC Engine).

And I also finally made an appointment to get my headers + exhaust installed! It's the third time I've made an appointment but this time I'll actually be able to follow through. Really! It's all come together. If you can't tell, I'm super excited to hear my twice pipes!

I'll be sure to post pictures and video when it's done!

[dhoneycutt]

I'm waiting...sorta patiently :-)

[JonnyRock]

UPDATE:

They weren't able to get me in on Tuesday because of a scheduling mistake, so I took it in Thursday (yesterday) morning. And it's been nothing but trouble since then.

As far as I know, the old manifold came off just fine and the headers went on just fine. But when they started to put the exhaust on they ran into fit issues. Just before the muffler section, the pipes bent upward and they needed to be cut to allow the pipes to come out at the correct angle and not stick out a whole foot. I expected there would be a small fit issue, so I didn't have any problem with that.

But they called this morning saying that the headers leak! WTF? Apparently it's up at the top section. They've told me they can try and patch it but I'm looking at $120 or so extra and they're not sure how well it'll work on these coated headers. Plus it'll be UGLY.

I've called MSA to let them know the header is flawed and they should be n contact with me soon.

So now I'm thinking I'll have them put the old manifold on and alter the exhaust to fit while I wait on a new header. What do y'all think?

[Zedyone_kenobi]

good luck with whatever you choose, I was so happy to see you post again, as I wanted to hear your twice pipes! Keep a cool head and thing about it. Do not make rash decisions.

[Arne]

So now I'm thinking I'll have them put the old manifold on and alter the exhaust to fit while I wait on a new header. What do y'all think?

First I think I'd wait until you talk with MSA, if you can. I'd hate to have something done to the new exhaust only to have to have it un-done once a replacement header arrives.

This is one reason why I prefer to stick with stock manifolds for street use, as much as I love the sound of an inline six with headers.

[JonnyRock]

Ok, well I spoke to MSA again after going back to the shop.

When I got back to the shop they showed me the hole. It's right in between the 3-4 ports, where the weld is. Not a good location. They told me that they could try to patch it, but it would be a one shot deal. Plus, the ceramic coating in the dime sized area would be toast.

I spoke to MSA again and after getting the run around for awhile (they told me I had to call back Monday, I said no way!), they eventually gave the go ahead for the weld repair attempt. If it doesn't work they'll still accept a return/exchange (as rightly they should).

If the repair does work, I'm just ready to be done with it. This is costing extra and my result will be less than it should but I just want it done. I'm planning on fully taking apart the Z and refreshing it in a few years (when I have a garage) so I'm okay with a header that is blemished, as long as it works.

It sounds great btw, as long as you ignore the leak! So I'll be sure to post a new vid tonight or tomorrow.

[madkaw]

Did they tighten the header correctly. That header(that is exactly like mine) is built with a slight bend in the flange. The header needs to be installed using the center bolts first and tightening them first, then the outside last. If not, the flange will not settle on the head correctly, thus not sealing in the center. Granted, i have not run my engine yet, but the flange was the first thing I noticed taking it out of the box and I made the call to MSA, and this is what they told me. So don't quite give up on that header yet. Make sure it is clearing your SU's, if that is what your running. Don't take the shops word for it, go over and look and ask them to retighten the header. Did you use the header type gasket?

hope this helps

[JonnyRock]

Did they tighten the header correctly. That header(that is exactly like mine) is built with a slight bend in the flange. The header needs to be installed using the center bolts first and tightening them first, then the outside last. If not, the flange will not settle on the head correctly, thus not sealing in the center. Granted, i have not run my engine yet, but the flange was the first thing I noticed taking it out of the box and I made the call to MSA, and this is what they told me. So don't quite give up on that header yet. Make sure it is clearing your SU's, if that is what your running. Don't take the shops word for it, go over and look and ask them to retighten the header. Did you use the header type gasket?

hope this helps

There was no apparent bend in my header flange. At least not that I noticed. I don't know about them tightening it, but what's done is done.

And they used the header gasket which was included w/the header.

[JonnyRock]

All done! The patch weld worked. Total was $606.xx so overall this was about a $1k job.

I love the sound. There is some drone around ~2700 but hopefully it will move as everything gets broken in. Oh, and the carbs badly need adjustment.

Well I've included a video although it's too dark to see anything. The audio isn't great but it gets the message across. I'll try to take and upload some pics before work tomorrow.

<embed src="http://videos.streetfire.net/vidiac.swf?video=1c7d460e-7002-460e-bbdd-9b930155136c" width="428" height="352" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br/><a href="http://upload.streetfire.net/video/New-Exhaust_339763.htm?ref=903e0826-5c72-490e-b454-9b680145330e">New Exhaust</a>

Edited January 17, 2009 by JonnyRock

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Awesome!!! simply awesome!!!