450ZX LAST PROBLEM!!!

[MRJERRY300ZX]

I have everything 80% complete last thing is the wiring and put the transmission in!!! but here's the problem I've got the manifolds on and now the engine wont go into the final resting place b/c the manifolds are hitting the frame T45 said he had this problem and he "BFH'D" them what does that mean so I can do it to mine, B/c I want to install my transmission today and get it wired up!! all input will be greatly appreciated thanx!!
Modified by MRJERRY300ZX at 12:19 PM 6/1/2008

[npez]

I have everything 80% complete last thing is the wiring and put the transmission in!!! but here's the problem I've got the manifolds on and now the engine wont go into the final resting place b/c the manifolds are hitting the frame T45 said he had this problem and he "BFH'D" them what does that mean so I can do it to mine, B/c I want to install my transmission today and get it wired up!! all input will be greatly appreciated thanx!!

Modified by MRJERRY300ZX at 12:19 PM 6/1/2008

You need to take a Big Freakin (substitute expletive) Hammer (BFH) basically a 3-5lb hammer and hammer the exhaust manifolds inwards towards the motor until they clear your frame rails.....

Hope this helps.....

Nick.

P.S. Did you weld new engine mount pedestals on the frame or did you build "offset" engine mounts that mount to the factory cross-member location?

[MRJERRY300ZX]

thanx for the quick reply and for the info!! but I did offset the mounts I took a 1/4 thick piece of steel and tapped a hole and screwed into the factory mount position on the "Z"and the drilled the hole for the q mounts to fit and it works perfect except for the manifolds but I'M about to take the hammer to them right now again thanx for the info

[npez]

thanx for the quick reply and for the info!! but I did offset the mounts I took a 1/4 thick piece of steel and tapped a hole and screwed into the factory mount position on the "Z"and the drilled the hole for the q mounts to fit and it works perfect except for the manifolds but I'M about to take the hammer to them right now again thanx for the info

So you offset the pedestal on the cross member, or did you offset it on the engine side mount? I've seen it done on the motor side with heavy gussetting, but if I understand your's correctly I've never seen it done that way (i.e. not welded to the crossmember - as I would assume there would be some structural challenges)

Thanks & you're welcome.

Nick.

[MRJERRY300ZX]

No!!! sorry that I wasnt clear on that it's also welded but I put in a bolt just for reinforcement thats all! now I know I wont have to worry about it breaking off

[T45]

What I was referring to was the mani's hitting the crossmember on the very bottom, near the forward most cyl's.

After my engine was in I cut off the cats, shrouding and then jacked the engine up a bit and they slid right into place. After lowering the engine back down they hit on the bottom along the xmember. If you look at the xmember it has a little hump there too.

I took my torch, heated up that little bulge on the xmember and flattened it out with a bfh. Then checked clearances again. I needed more so I marked the headers, took them out and heated them up, bfh'd the BOTTOM of them to gain some extra clearance. I didn't "go to town", just flattened it out a little bit to give some room. 1/8" flatter on the bottom gives you a lot more room to work with.

I didn't have to modify them whatsoever to get them to fit in between the frame rails side to side, they fit fine, just tight.

[craigztoyz]

I have taken out over a 1/4 " of the rail in that spot, and almost 1/2" of the header(BFH) to get it to clear. I heated and BFH'd the frame, and the headers, I had to reweld, as the welds were broke to hell after ovaling the pipe. I have my craddle 1/2" from the steering rack with no pan on it.

Other then lifting it up a bit with big washers between the mounts, or header mods, new pipes. Mine is very low, due to cutting the Q mounts up, and welding them solid, made them a bit lower in height too.

[craigztoyz]

thanx for the quick reply and for the info!! but I did offset the mounts I took a 1/4 thick piece of steel and tapped a hole and screwed into the factory mount position on the "Z"and the drilled the hole for the q mounts to fit and it works perfect except for the manifolds but I'M about to take the hammer to them right now again thanx for the info

Thats what I did, but, welded it down, and gussetted it, to give it strength. I wondered how well it would hold up, just bolted.