Side pipe alignment

[mlewis]

I’m sure I am over thinking this (again)

I did a final fit of my side pipes. It looks like I am only off a bit on the parallel to the body. I am about 1/4" off on the driver side and about 1/8" off on the passenger side. I am measuring the delta gap between the body and the widest part of the pip in the front v the same on the back of the pipe.

I know Mark at Breeze sells shims to adjust a larger miss alignment of more than 1/2” to 1 1/2”. So I’m not sure that is an option.

Is this misalignment (in parallel) of about 1/4” typical?


Thanks

[egchewy79]

Could you grind down a wedge on a belt sander to get a smaller change?

[TMartinLVNV]

Step back from the car, look at each side individually. Does it look right? Don't compare each side to the other. Put the tape measure away. If you need the shims, Breeze will take care of you.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Is the body painted with all adjustments made and locked down in it’s final position? In not don’t sweat it much because it’s relationship with the pipes will most likely change after that is all done and you’ll make your final adjustments then.

Jeff

[mlewis]

Thanks all.


Could you grind down a wedge on a belt sander to get a smaller change?

Seem like a reasonable idea. Anyone try it.


Step back from the car, look at each side individually. Does it look right? Don't compare each side to the other. Put the tape measure away. If you need the shims, Breeze will take care of you.

Agree. Just wondering if this is typical realizing it may not be perfect.


Is the body painted with all adjustments made and locked down in it’s final position? In not don’t sweat it much because it’s relationship with the pipes will most likely change after that is all done and you’ll make your final adjustments then.

I do think I got the body fit dialed in and mounted. This is why I though I would do the fit and mounting of the side pipes now prior to paint. You see a ton of these. Is a little flaring out of the pipes common or do you recommend fussing with it ?

As always, much appreciate the guidance.

[CraigS]

+ or - 1/4 inch is just fine. I look a lot more at whether they are parallel to the ground because that sticks out to me as I approach the car.

[Papa]

Small differences are just part of these cars. Like others said, if it looks right, be done with it. My pipes drooped on the driver’s side, which drove me crazy. I eventually got a set of the latest style headers from FFR and I got the pipes dialed in a lot better.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Just wondering if this is typical realizing it may not be perfect.



I do think I got the body fit dialed in and mounted. This is why I though I would do the fit and mounting of the side pipes now prior to paint. You see a ton of these. Is a little flaring out of the pipes common or do you recommend fussing with it ?

As always, much appreciate the guidance.

Lots of variables come into play but the point of my earlier reply was that if you're doing this early you may well end up duplicating your efforts in the end. What's typical? Well, typically the body will have to be pushed in as far as possible ahead of the doors on both sides. At the rear the passenger side will end up somewhere between all the way in and 1/4" out ahead of the rear wheel and the driver's side will have to be pulled out 1/2'-3/4" ahead of the rear wheels. Obviously this will have an effect on the appearance of the pipes. Typically---but not always--- with FFR headers and pipes the passenger side will be pretty near perfect and the driver's side will need a wedge to kick the rear of the pipe outward. If you're using "aftermarket" pipes they will typically angle in at the rear and need a wedge (or multiples!!!) to bring them in line with the body.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=163832&d=1647105319

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=163831&d=1647105286

My usual procedure is when doing my last mockup after the body position is finalized with all bodywork and fitting completed I put the pipes on to determine what, if anything, they'll need as far as wedges or shims.

Just my experience after seeing "a few" ;)

Cheers,
Jeff

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[mlewis]

Excellent feedback all.

I am parallel to the bottom of the car.

I think I’ve been officially talked off the edge.

Thanks again.

[Fordman114]

I have my bodywork complete and ready to go for paint with the exception of the side pipe openings. My Gas-N side pipes have not arrived yet, so I'm stuck staring at it. My concern is that the headers are offset because of the offset of the motor. Is this corrected by the side pipes radius(different on each side)? When you look at the pics, you can see that the passenger side is higher that the drivers side.




167475167476

[egchewy79]

I have my bodywork complete and ready to go for paint with the exception of the side pipe openings. My Gas-N side pipes have not arrived yet, so I'm stuck staring at it. My concern is that the headers are offset because of the offset of the motor. Is this corrected by the side pipes radius(different on each side)? When you look at the pics, you can see that the passenger side is higher that the drivers side.




167475167476

do you have the ball and flange FF headers? if so, there is some adjustability built in to the final location of your header/side pipe interface.

[Fordman114]

YES I have the new ball and flange headers, but the passenger side almost comes out to high to hit the opening. I will find out in a week or so, George at Gas-N is sending me a set of pipes for mocking up. My pipes won't be ready for a while yet.