I absolutely did. When I finally removed them, they had not deformed any to seal anything. In fact they slid off the pipe exactly the way they slid on. They are exactly what Bean's claims they are..."fit perfectly and won't have to worry about gasket blow out again." What they don't tell you when they are taking your $85 is that they do not deform like the conventional donuts to form a seal.

I think you have a terrific idea about altering the ends of the pipe at a muffler shop. Have you done this? does it work?

 

they continue to leak when you just replace the donut because the old donut can actually eat into the pipe from heat cycles right? so should I replace the pipes too??

 

Guys I just picked mine up form my Ford this morning. Total bill was $297.00 with tax. Two pipes, two gaskets, 4 screws.... let me know if you need part numbers...

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Make sure you have you vin number available when you order...

 

The OBS is in need of a better engineered aftermarket pipe/connection because the stock ones are flawed...a flawed design that is.

 

Yup, they just swedge the pipe a little to make the donut not slide off. Works fine.
I have the brass donuts, still sitting on the shelf. Once I saw how they actually worked (or were supposed to) I backed out.

Simple solution is to make a new flange and weld it to the up-pipe and install a section of braided flex joint into the up-pipe like these: Flex joints.. They are SS but there's no issue welding them to the stock up-pipes. I've done that before, too.

 

This sounds like the best find/advice/idea that I have taken away from this site. Thank You DZL JIM !

 

WoW, that's a great price.
What dealer did you get them from?
And what is the part number you have

Thanks!

 

Jim Vreeland Ford
Sales: 800-350-5327
Service: 805-688-7209 | Parts: 805-686-4419
Local: 805-688-7760

I will have to post part numbers later...over in the back of my truck at the shop... Have your vin number handy so they give you the right parts..

 

Follow-up on my up-pipe replacement project on a 1998 E-350.

All the bolts from the pipes to the Y-collector required major mussel to the last thread! Soaked for 48 hours with PB Blaster.

I don't know if the bolts were cross threaded or over torqued by the last owner or what.

Replaced the Y-collector($140 and in stock) instead of re-taping it.

Would have purchased a bellowed set-up if I could have found one for my early 1998.

Thanks to all for the references to project walk throughs and tips.

Happy Motoring...