Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

[smoedog]

Took my boat out again....and again another problem arose. I have a small hole (.25" x .375") on top of of the Y-Pipe just before it goes into the transom. So it is constantly taking on water when the motor isn't running. Any fixes? Would JB-Weld do it since its far away from the heat source?

This is a 92 4.3 with a Alpha One Gen 2.

 

[achris]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

Sounds like one of the old style shutters has claimed another victim.... You are going to need to pull the engine whatever you decide to do. You do have the option of TIG, which in my opinion is better than any epoxy. Once you're done you'll need new shutters. The part number for them is -807166A3...

Chris..

 

[smoedog]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

Could you explain how these old shuuter could cause that. I thought the shutters were up in the elbows.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

The shutters burn out and the SS pin falls to the bottom and rattles a hole in the Y pipe.

 

[achris]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

Could you explain how these old shutter could cause that. I thought the shutters were up in the elbows.

The shutters are at the top of the y-pipe, just below the elbows. The early style ones are a single plate mounted on a stainless steel shaft. As the shutters move quite a lot they wear the shaft and eventually the shaft is worn all the way through and the shutter drops into the bottom of the y-pipe. Most of the time the shutter will fall all the way though and out through the propeller, the first you know is when you pull the elbows and find them gone, but sometimes one will lodge at the bottom of the y-pipe, and with exhaust gas and water still running past it, it rattles and wears a hole through the aluminium pipe....

The replacement shutters are the new style with an adapter ring, to fit on the top of the y-pipe.

Chris.......

 

[smoedog]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

Can someone verify the part number for the y pipe. I searched and came up with 815786-C. I'm still debating changing it or trying out hi temp lab metal to patch the hole. I've had the boat on the water three times and last time this popped up and the thing is running pig rich and stalls taking it above idle while in gear. Dunno how much more I wanna put into it

 

[achris]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

Y-pipe part number is -807130A4. It is the new style and comes with the new style shutters.

Chris...

 

[smoedog]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

I have been looking at some used pipes on ebay for 4.3's. Are there differences in them. They all say they are compatible

 

[achris]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

There are the 2 styles that are compatible. The older style (1987 to 1996), which is what you have with the shafted shutters, and the new style (1996 to current) with the updated shutters. You don't have to restrict yourself to just V6s either. The same Y-pipe is used on the SBC V8s (305 and 350) of the same vintage and SOME 454s.... I'm sure there are PLENTY of those around.... The new style was released in 1996....

Chris........

 

[smoedog]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

OK, last question for now. Has anyone had success with the aluminum brazing/welding rods out there. Like durafix.com.. Where I am going to pull the motor is out of town and I don't know if a welder will be available

 

[achris]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

OK, last question for now. Has anyone had success with the aluminum brazing/welding rods out there. Like durafix.com.. Where I am going to pull the motor is out of town and I don't know if a welder will be available

Once the engine's out, remove the 4 screws holding the y-pipe to the transom plate and take it anywhere you like... Those screws are 12 point 3/8", so have the right socket...

 

[smoedog]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

I think you misunderstood what I am talking about. It's a brazing rod that repairs aluminum. you can repair it your self with the rod and a map torch. you can get details at http://durafix.com/

 

[achris]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

I think you misunderstood what I am talking about. It's a brazing rod that repairs aluminum. you can repair it your self with the rod and a map torch. you can get details at http://durafix.com/

Yes, I've seen them before, and the guy using it was VERY good... The main trick it to make the aluminium ABSOLUTELY clean and oxide free before you start...

What I was saying was that you can remove the y-pipe and take it anywhere you like... The welder doesn't have to come to you.. You can take the pipe to him...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Small Hole in Exhaust Y-Pipe...Possible Fixes?

Has anyone had success with the aluminum brazing/welding rods out there. Like durafix.com..

I had a thin spot in my 140's down pipe right by the seal groove and patched it up with Durafix. Brazing with that rod is tough as it runs like water, so filling a 1/4" hole could be a challenge. I'd back up the hole with a steel plate, filler' up, then pop the plate off if it stuck. Watch the video's on how to use the rod as you need to, tin it, brush it with a SS brush, then fill the hole.

Patching the down pipe was one of the few things that I found the aluminum brazing rods to work well for....