collector ball joint clamp

[JJK]

There is another post right now asking about exhaust leaks and I have a similar problem but didn't want to hijack that thread as mine is slightly different and more specific.
I have GasN headers and pipes and they mated at the ball joint by a single bolt clamp that fits over them both. this does not provide a good seal. does the 3 bolt FFR style sandwich clamp fit the GasN headers and pipes? would this be a better solution than the single bolt clamp? any other potential solutions?
thanks

[michael everson]

It wont work because they cannot be removed once the ball is formed.
Mike

[Railroad]

Can you drill the flange for additional bolt holes?

[JJK]

Mike,
I assume you mean that each half of the sandwich connector is permanently linked to each half of the joint once the ball is formed, that makes sense.
Here is a picture that may help explain the clamp GasN supplies.
189312

[JohnK]

On my Gas-N headers I noticed that the flange was deformed slightly where the O2 bung was welded in. probably the heat from welding deformed it slightly. I was able to carefully massage it back to being round with a pair of pliers and that helped a lot. Also, make sure to orient the clamp such that the split in the clamp isn't right where the O2 bung is, as this will leave an open gap. IMO, if you tweak the flange so that it mates with the ball properly, it won't leak. That said, I don't believe the clamp by itself is sufficient to support the weight of the side pipes. I installed a hanger to support the weight of the side pipes so that the ball clamp wasn't under constant loading. These hangers are from Dark Water Customs, but Jeff K. has posted in other threads a very similar setup using common hardware store parts.

As an aside, I noticed that even with this setup I was still getting some sagging of the side pipes. so I reinforced the rubber exhaust hangers with heavy duty stainless steel zip ties. You can read about it in my build thread here (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?31167-Greek-Guys-Garage-Roadster-Build-9509-(Nice-shoutout-on-Insta-about-my-build)&p=525833&viewfull=1#post525833).

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=184009&d=1683171602

[BrewCityCobra]

On my Gas-N headers I noticed that the flange was deformed slightly where the O2 bung was welded in. probably the heat from welding deformed it slightly. I was able to carefully massage it back to being round with a pair of pliers and that helped a lot. Also, make sure to orient the clamp such that the split in the clamp isn't right where the O2 bung is, as this will leave an open gap. IMO, if you tweak the flange so that it mates with the ball properly, it won't leak. That said, I don't believe the clamp by itself is sufficient to support the weight of the side pipes. I installed a hanger to support the weight of the side pipes so that the ball clamp wasn't under constant loading. These hangers are from Dark Water Customs, but Jeff K. has posted in other threads a very similar setup using common hardware store parts.

As an aside, I noticed that even with this setup I was still getting some sagging of the side pipes. so I reinforced the rubber exhaust hangers with heavy duty stainless steel zip ties. You can read about it in my build thread here (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?31167-Greek-Guys-Garage-Roadster-Build-9509-(Nice-shoutout-on-Insta-about-my-build)&p=525833&viewfull=1#post525833).

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=184009&d=1683171602

JohnK, a quick question. I noticed in your build thread that you considered those NORSMIC hangers (with the integral stainless band) before ultimately deciding to go with the separate stainless steel zip ties. Any reason for that? did the NORSMIC hangers not work or did you just decided to go with the zip ties right off the bat?

[JohnK]

I actually ordered a set of the Norsmic hangers, and when they arrived I realized that they were way too big and thick to be a straight replacement for the rubber hangers that Gas-N provides. I would have had to redo the mounting points for the hangers to use them. Since I had already drllled and installed rivnuts for the Gas-N undercar exhaust supports, the SS zip ties were "plan B". If you haven't yet installed the under-car exhaust supports, you could probably get the Norsmic hangers to work OK.

[Bill_VA]

My Gas-N pipes moved too much at the ball joint. At the advice of the Gas-N guy, I had them tack welded to keep everything from moving. 2-3 years later, nothing has moved.