Guys, I'm wrapping up my first engine change and can't remember if the spring that goes on the bolt that clamps that short pipe between the engine and the catalitic converter goes on the outside of the flange or between the two flanges. Is anybody familiar with that hook up and can let me know how those springs go back on? There are two on each end of that pipe. Thanks guys.

 

Outside, not in between. It applies tension on the bolt to press the flanges together.

 

That's where I put them but the pipe is so loose that there is not a tight fit and has to leak. Haven't started it yet but as loose as it seems, I can't believe it won't leak. I've tightened the bolts as far as they'll tighten but it is still fairly loose when I pull on the pipe. The flanges are not tight up against each other when the bolts are tight. Maybe the pipe that comes down from the engine is shorter than the one that came out of the car that was on the engine that I replaced? The engine I pulled out of mine was a 1990 engine and the one I replaced it with came out of a 1991. Could that maybe be it? Thanks.

 

is there a donut gasket there?

 

Yeah there's one on each end and I made sure I put them back on. There's like maybe an inch space between the flanges with the bolts tightened as far as they'll tighten.

 

did you put the cat in backwards?

 

Can't really put it on backwards, the flanges are different.

It should have about 3/4" of space between the flanges, the dougnut seal does all the sealing. You can move it all around and point it all over, but it should seal.

 

I actually never took the cat out to replace the engine. I just didn't think there was anyway there could be that much gap and it seal. Guess I'll find out when I crank it up. Thanks.