Exhaust systems

RLS7201 wrote:
If you elect to use other than Banks headers, make sure to make heat shields for the starter, shift and E brake cables and the stuff running in the left frame rail. Banks does supply those heat shields with their headers. There has been various reports of shift and E brake cable failures from those that failed to protect those cables that are no longer available from Ford.
I can tell you that Banks uses 308 stainless steel for their exhaust kits and the fit is perfect. No banging, bending, drilling or running to the store for pieces parts. Ya gets what ya pays for.

Richard
95 F53 460/528 Bounder
Banks Power Pack

I, too, installed a full Banks kit. Nothing wrong with Thorley, Heddman, or any other headers. It's just that Gayle Banks and his staff do the work to ensure all of their products fit properly without modifications, and work to compliment what is already in the motor/motorhome and transmission.

I got the system with headers, exhaust pipes, muffler, tip, cold air kit, and the ECM chip. I installed it myself, but I've been a mechanic, RV tech, and an Air Force sheet metal technician for many years. It really wasn't that hard to install with regular hand tools, with one exception. There were some broken manifold bolts that required drilling and an E Z out, but they all came out 1st time trying.

When I bought my motorhome, a 2003 Flair with a F53 Ford V-10 chassis, we stored it right down the street at a stable. Coming out of the stable heading towards the house, there is a big hill. Well, the first time I took it home, about to start on the Banks kit, I floored it right as I came out of the stable driveway. I picked a point (at a short guardrail) and checked my speed. It was 40mph. I installed the headers, then the exhaust kit and cold air kit. Then I got the ECM in the mail and installed that. After it was all installed, I did the hill again. When I got to that same spot at the guardrail, I looked again. I was astonished, I was doing 50 mph. Gas mileage? No idea, didn't ever check before and don't check it now, it is what it is, I can do anything about it much. Banks Kits are a package, not just a part or a piece.

Sorry for the long winded post, but I wanted to express my gratitude to the Banks team.

Jim@HiTek wrote:
I'm going to go against the advice so far and say that for that old of a rig, don't sink thousands into it. Not worth it.

Instead, do some online surfing to as many RV salvage companies you can find, and I believe there are hundreds. Find an exhaust manifold for your rig somewhere, drive over and get it, head down to Mexico and have it installed. Doing that, you'll likely both get your 10 years at pennies per mile, not dollars, and a nice trip out of it. IMO.

Why Mexico, American mechanics aren't capable of this job? The money spent to get there alone justifies doing it here.

BigBlockTank wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:
I'm going to go against the advice so far and say that for that old of a rig, don't sink thousands into it. Not worth it.

Instead, do some online surfing to as many RV salvage companies you can find, and I believe there are hundreds. Find an exhaust manifold for your rig somewhere, drive over and get it, head down to Mexico and have it installed. Doing that, you'll likely both get your 10 years at pennies per mile, not dollars, and a nice trip out of it. IMO.

Why Mexico, American mechanics aren't capable of this job? The money spent to get there alone justifies doing it here.

Because there are a great many excellent Mexican mechanics, just like in the US, and they can do anything, and often do it with nothing, but that's not the real reason to do it in Mexico...

The real reason is the sea, sun, fun, food, companionship, adventure, scenery, warmth and friendliness of the natives. Sure, you can stay in the US and have it done there and miss out on a Mexican adventure, but I wouldn't if it were me.

Jim@HiTek wrote:

BigBlockTank wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:
I'm going to go against the advice so far and say that for that old of a rig, don't sink thousands into it. Not worth it.

Instead, do some online surfing to as many RV salvage companies you can find, and I believe there are hundreds. Find an exhaust manifold for your rig somewhere, drive over and get it, head down to Mexico and have it installed. Doing that, you'll likely both get your 10 years at pennies per mile, not dollars, and a nice trip out of it. IMO.

Why Mexico, American mechanics aren't capable of this job? The money spent to get there alone justifies doing it here.

Because there are a great many excellent Mexican mechanics, just like in the US, and they can do anything, and often do it with nothing, but that's not the real reason to do it in Mexico...

The real reason is the sea, sun, fun, food, companionship, adventure, scenery, warmth and friendliness of the natives. Sure, you can stay in the US and have it done there and miss out on a Mexican adventure, but I wouldn't if it were me.

We've been there a few times, and I didn't loose anything south of the border. I need a passport to go and come home, but tens of thousands don't? And just the money for fuel would be cost prohibitive for a lot. Not everybody can afford a $1000 trip at the drop of a hat. My military retirement isn't that much....

BigBlockTank wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:

BigBlockTank wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:
I'm going to go against the advice so far and say that for that old of a rig, don't sink thousands into it. Not worth it.

Instead, do some online surfing to as many RV salvage companies you can find, and I believe there are hundreds. Find an exhaust manifold for your rig somewhere, drive over and get it, head down to Mexico and have it installed. Doing that, you'll likely both get your 10 years at pennies per mile, not dollars, and a nice trip out of it. IMO.

Why Mexico, American mechanics aren't capable of this job? The money spent to get there alone justifies doing it here.

Because there are a great many excellent Mexican mechanics, just like in the US, and they can do anything, and often do it with nothing, but that's not the real reason to do it in Mexico...

The real reason is the sea, sun, fun, food, companionship, adventure, scenery, warmth and friendliness of the natives. Sure, you can stay in the US and have it done there and miss out on a Mexican adventure, but I wouldn't if it were me.

We've been there a few times, and I didn't loose anything south of the border. I need a passport to go and come home, but tens of thousands don't? And just the money for fuel would be cost prohibitive for a lot. Not everybody can afford a $1000 trip at the drop of a hat. My military retirement isn't that much....

OK no Mexico, well, then I have another idea...find that salvage manifold, have it shipped to you. Drive around your general area looking for a friendly RV park that'll let a shade tree mechanic change it out for you there at the park. I've had lots of luck finding mechanics that either have a low labor cost Mobile RV repair business going, are between jobs, or have their own backyard repair business.

Takes some skill to learn all you can about the job so you can stay on top of the situation and direct the mechanic if necessary, but you'll save thousands over the Banks system and install. IMO.

And it's Spring soon! So you'll get to have a nice springtime RV park adventure. Maybe next to a lake. With the birds chirping, the bears growling, the squirrels chewing on your wiring, and the fish a jumpin'. Who could ask for more?

Jim@HiTek wrote:

BigBlockTank wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:

BigBlockTank wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:
I'm going to go against the advice so far and say that for that old of a rig, don't sink thousands into it. Not worth it.

Instead, do some online surfing to as many RV salvage companies you can find, and I believe there are hundreds. Find an exhaust manifold for your rig somewhere, drive over and get it, head down to Mexico and have it installed. Doing that, you'll likely both get your 10 years at pennies per mile, not dollars, and a nice trip out of it. IMO.

Why Mexico, American mechanics aren't capable of this job? The money spent to get there alone justifies doing it here.

Because there are a great many excellent Mexican mechanics, just like in the US, and they can do anything, and often do it with nothing, but that's not the real reason to do it in Mexico...

The real reason is the sea, sun, fun, food, companionship, adventure, scenery, warmth and friendliness of the natives. Sure, you can stay in the US and have it done there and miss out on a Mexican adventure, but I wouldn't if it were me.

We've been there a few times, and I didn't loose anything south of the border. I need a passport to go and come home, but tens of thousands don't? And just the money for fuel would be cost prohibitive for a lot. Not everybody can afford a $1000 trip at the drop of a hat. My military retirement isn't that much....

OK no Mexico, well, then I have another idea...find that salvage manifold, have it shipped to you. Drive around your general area looking for a friendly RV park that'll let a shade tree mechanic change it out for you there at the park. I've had lots of luck finding mechanics that either have a low labor cost Mobile RV repair business going, are between jobs, or have their own backyard repair business.

Takes some skill to learn all you can about the job so you can stay on top of the situation and direct the mechanic if necessary, but you'll save thousands over the Banks system and install. IMO.

And it's Spring soon! So you'll get to have a nice springtime RV park adventure. Maybe next to a lake. With the birds chirping, the bears growling, the squirrels chewing on your wiring, and the fish a jumpin'. Who could ask for more?

Ok great. I've been a RV tech, I've worked on (as advertised any way) Mach 3+ jets, hot rods, motorcycles, race cars, and a lot of things that require knowledge and equipment to repair or "fix" it. I was only asking my first question why spend the money to take the motorhome to Mexico for a small job that could easily be done in your front yard/driveway, or whatever. Had I known that you were so defensive about Mexico, I'd left it alone. Sorry I didn't now. I should know better on this forum....Have a nice day sir, and may all your travels be in the sunshine and trouble free.

Not defensive about Mexico at all, just offering it up as a choice. Same with my 2nd idea. Both of which I've used to save money on major repairs I couldn't do myself on my last RV, a '94 Diesel I just sold a couple weeks ago. Lived in it full time for 12 years.

tommy g started the thread asking about ways to save money, I just offered mine is all.

Jim@HiTek wrote:
Not defensive about Mexico at all, just offering it up as a choice. Same with my 2nd idea. Both of which I've used to save money on major repairs I couldn't do myself on my last RV, a '94 Diesel I just sold a couple weeks ago. Lived in it full time for 12 years.

You started the thread asking about ways to save money, I just offered mine is all.

BigBlockTank started this thread? Reading comprehension much?

Don't know what you mean.

I started the thread about preemptive maintenance. The old Bounder ain't broke yet! After the suggestions and finding out that my mechanic will install the Banks package for a lot less than combo stuff, I will probably go whole hog when the time comes.

P.S. My chassis was built in Mexico but I have no urge to visit there.