84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System

Topic: 84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler (Read 1696 times) previous topic - next topic

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

January 25, 2015, 12:24:46 PM

I need to replace the ler on my 84 Thunderbird 5.0 AT. It has the original ler with an aftermarket tailpipe welded to the ler. I want to replace the ler myself, but I don't have any welding or pipe bending equipment. Looking at the shop manual, it looks like the original ler section had the ler input pipe, ler and tailpipe as one unit. This portion of the exhaust system was bolted to the output Y-pipe from the catalytic converters. Does anyone sell an aftermarket ler unit (input pipe, ler, tailpipe) that is a direct replacement for the original ler section? Or can I obtain two or three separate pieces - input pipe, ler, tailpipe - that I could bolt/connect together to replicate the original section? I'm just looking for a stock ler section where the pipes can be connected without welding. Thanks!

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

Reply #1 – January 25, 2015, 01:03:05 PM

I replaced my entire cat back by ordering it through autozone on my 86 cougar. It cost about $100 all together. I used pipe clamps on the ler and hangar, the mid pipe bolted in place. I didn't have to cut anything and fit was nearly perfect.

A good jack, jack stands and a few good sockets/extensions and about an hour of your time is all you really need.

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

Reply #2 – January 25, 2015, 02:14:53 PM

Walker was the OEM supplier. Should be fairly easy to find parts in that brand. They are part of Dynomax now, though; to be correct either would be acceptable.

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

Reply #3 – January 25, 2015, 04:45:05 PM

I had to replace my entire setup due to rust and leaks. Took mine to a shop. I used a mustang catted h pipe I had in the shed from before. He made it fit my stock manifolds and we ran duals all the way out. It was about $200 or so out the door in about 3 hours. Now I did already have the h pipe so that helped the price a lot I'm sure. But the H pipes aren't that expensive and I got a nice setup now with NO leaks. Nothing more frustrating than hearing exhaust leaks going put put put as you drive down the road in your classic car. Kinda blows the cool factor all to pieces.

Good luck with what ever you decide to do, you'll feel much better about the car when it's done.

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

Reply #4 – January 25, 2015, 11:00:28 PM

If i had money at the time i did mine, id just pick up some mustang headers and h-pipe and run duals.

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

Reply #5 – January 25, 2015, 11:00:53 PM

Thanks for everyone's help! I checked Autozone and they only have the ler. I can only find universal tailpipes - not sure if they would fit. I might cut off the existing tailpipe from the old ler and try to use it with the new ler... The one piece I can't find is the pipe between the cat Y-pipe and the ler. Is this pipe called an extension pipe or intermediate pipe or ???? Could I create a custom pipe by cutting a long pipe in half, shortening it and connecting them with a collar? There's a lot of stock pipes available for the V6 engine, but not too many stock pipes for the V8 engine. This is the first time I'm trying to replace part of an exhaust system, so these must seem like simple questions for most of you... Thanks!

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

Reply #6 – January 25, 2015, 11:37:29 PM

RockAuto.com has a Walker tailpipe for $32 right now (2 left). The intermediate pipe might have to be made at an exhaust shop, or maybe they can get one. Exhaust parts for these cars are generally available without much of an issue.

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

Reply #7 – January 25, 2015, 11:56:55 PM

Order it through autozone as an 87 5.0 tbird. Ill check my receipts to see if its a walker brand name, but i believe it is. The 88 302 cars had fake duals.

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

Reply #8 – January 26, 2015, 10:19:52 AM

I'm not sure if the intermediate pipes for all 5.0 cars were the same. The 1984-85 Y-pipe was unique for the 5.0 cars…it has the two long converters instead of the later, shorter converters. I've not owned a 5.0 car from those model years, no experience with them, but a ler shop will have the diagrams in their books and be able to explain everything.

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

Reply #9 – January 26, 2015, 11:21:59 AM

Really? That's quite interesting. I've even used a 87 5.0 ordered exhaust on a 3.8 or two and it bolted up. I've never owned an 83-85 car either.

84 Thunderbird - Original Exhaust System - ler

Reply #10 – January 26, 2015, 04:45:59 PM

There's more in the world than Autozone, especially considering that AZ really is the buttcrack of auto parts.