Exhaust system alignment issue?

[Shalka04]

So today I started to install / hook up the exhaust system.
The front pipe and gasket got bolted to the manifold. �Here's a picture of that, so far so good.


When I wnet to hook up the long pipe to the front pipe I had a moment of that doesn't look right at all.
With the front pipe all tight and correct on the manifold side, the other end presses a good deal into / against the support braket for the master cylinder.
Here's a picure of that:

The pipe on the right coming up from the bottom of the image is the striaght pipe. �I'm thinking this set up is a bit on the wrong side. �ANything like this would transfer heat to the master cylinder and boil the brake fluid.
here's another picture of the same issue:

Can I /hould I try to bend this by pressing it in with my foot. �Is there any way to "fix" this with the typical Rube Goldgerg tools jigs, and rigs? �Is this something a muffler shop can tweek or is the front pipe to short for their machines?

Thanks for the thoughts,
-John

[rocketeer]

One of the things you'll find when installing an exhaust system is to not tighten anything until it's all together. Loosen the bolts at the manifold. I think you'll find there is some leeway and you should be able to rotate that pipe inward towards the block slightly. A very little at the manifold translates to quite a bit more at the far end of the pipe and it should move away from the MC.

Larry

[F Bill]

I second Larry's thoughts above. Assemble everything loosely, including the hangers, and insert each pipe in to the next fully, then start to tighten things up.The amount of misalignment in your pictures is not out of the ordinary.

Also check your mounting flange surface for any old gaskets, rust  etc that might be forcing the pipe sideways as you tighten it.

[JeepRoger]

I had the same problem putting on a new exhaust system in my '46 CJ2A. I had to heat and bend the pipe that leading pipe to get it to align properly. I remember checking to see if the flange was welded on square to the pipe and as well as I could tell, it was. So, not sure what the problem was but I did have to correct it. Everything from there back fit perfectly. ...R

[Macgraham]

I recently had the same problem with my 3A. I have found that many of the repro parts are less than accurate when it comes to fit. I bent the pipe from the manifold to where I wanted it keeping in mind that too much pressure could break the manifold. :-/

[athawk11]

I agree with Larry and FBill.  Losen it back up at the manifold and you will have some play.

If you don't have enough play, you could make a quick jig out of some 2x4s and use a pipe clamp to bend the tube a bit more.  It wouldn't take much.

Tim  

[calvinhunt]

I had the exact same problem 5 years ago.  Can't believe they haven't gotten it right in that many years.  I guess if we keep fixing them they'll just keep selling them the way they are.  At least we have something to start with.  

[macrisel]

Not only did I have that problem, but I also had to "dimple" the pipe a little more to clear the cross member and brake/clutch bracket.  In hindsight, I wish I would have just taken it to the custom muffler shop that does my hot rod exhausts.

When I ordered my exhaust I thought "Its only one pipe with very few bends.  How can anyone screw that up?  "  Leave it up to the repro companies to prove me wrong...