Exhaust manifold gaskets / Ford 460

Wavery wrote:

royl wrote:

I ordered my complete stainless steel Banks system from performance truck and paid about 1900. Including free shipping.

In retrospect, I probably should have done the same thing and simply sold these headers. I thought that I might be able to put this together and save a bucket of $ but it isn't working out that way.....

Banks wants $350 for the Y-Pipe & connector (incl S&H). $150 for the bolt kit (I can't find the 1.25" header bolts anywhere). $45 for the insulated wire connector extension for the O2sensor. $200 for the insulator for the left frame rail, $500 for the muffler, $225 for the intake kit and on and on it goes.

I may have to buy the Y-pipe and connector but fabricate the rest myself, using a $200 Manaflow S/S muffler. It looks like I'll have close to $1300 in parts and a heck of a lot of hassle before all is said & done.

I plan to use Heat Shield Barrier Cloth in lieu of the expensive heat shields from Banks (they are about $200 each from them). I'll use that for the starter, wires, cables and left frame rail. I may even use it on the under side of the floor all along the exhaust.

Did you install your own? Any tips that you care to share?

I'm a pretty savvy gear-head myself and have a complete set of Snap-On air tools etc.. I designed and built a number of race cars back in the day (oval track stock cars). I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty but I sure respect the advise of people that have gone there before me :B.

I did the install with a little help from the wife. Pretty straight forward with the Banks kit, the fit and finish was perfect. It came with all the hangers,heat shields,bolts and all. That is the only way I would do it. They have did all the testing and fit testing for you so it is quick and easy. I spent most of a day with the install, I had it all removed while waiting on the system to arrive. The system including the intake mod kit and the transmission control module made the motorhome wake up and run like it should. I am pulling hills now fully loaded and towing the toad at 55 to 60 mph where I was dropping down to 40 or less before, much less downshifting and runs much cooler.