How to cut the front exahust pipe?
- Thread starter visedog
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jboehm
Well-known member
Saw if there is space to work.
NWOhioChevyGuy
Well-known member
It will depend on what space you have to get in there.
I utilized an angle grinder on my daughters Cat that had plugged up.
However not all are accessible that way.
Either will cut it easily with the right blades.
I utilized an angle grinder on my daughters Cat that had plugged up.
However not all are accessible that way.
Either will cut it easily with the right blades.
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
go down to the auto parts store and borrow their chain pipe cutter, It looks like a chain wrench but it has cutter heads on each link.
Yup, they're pretty sweet...kind of the same way you cut copper pipe.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000M93OUM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
K'ledgeBldr
Well-known member
I'll take what's behind door number 3-
Cutting torch!
Cutting torch!
firebirdparts
Well-known member
Recip is the best for cutting through the pipe itself.
redmondjp
Well-known member
Yes, but you need a long enough blade such that it stays in the cut when it is in the fully retracted position, and not too long that it hits the underside of the car when fully extended. In a limited-space situation, this can be a problem (just used a sawzall myself to do exhaust work on my car two weeks ago - I drove 220 miles to a friend's house so we could use his lift!).
rusty1
Well-known member
...I once bought a pipe cutter just for the same predicament,..very reasonable and worked great, ...you need to cut where you can rotate the cutter enuf to cut all the way around the pipe,...maybe cut as far as you can one way, then flip the cutter over to do the rest,..or finish it with a hacksaw blade...
dave_dj1
Well-known member
Don't cut the front, cut the back and clean the cat out 
Use the chain cutter if you can borrow one. Sawsall if ya can't!
Use the chain cutter if you can borrow one. Sawsall if ya can't!
CJ7VFR
Well-known member
I agree with this also. Better yet if you can buy one.
I bought one 25 years ago when I bought my old Jeep CJ-7. Old Jeeps eat exhaust systems, especially here on the east coast (think tons of salt on the roads) and that cutter has come in handy more times than I can count.
You need to get one, like the one I have, that has a whole bunch of little cutting wheels all along the chain link sections. This way you only need a little bit of room to actually cut thru the pipe.
The one I have only requires about 2 inches of travel back and forth with the handle to cut thru a 2.5 inch diameter pipe. The more cutting wheels on the chain links, the less travel of the handle you need.
Also, it makes a very neat and clean cut, versus using a torch or hacking the exhaust with a blade. If you wrap it around the pipe carefully, in a nice even line, you can make nice 90 degree cuts in the exhaust pipe, just like you can do with the cutting wheel style plumbing cutters on copper pipes.
Jim
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jloehlein
Well-known member
The chain cutters work well on cheap steel, but I wouldn't be surprised if the catalytic converter is stainless and/or double wall. I destroyed a chain cutter on my Crown Vic before breaking out the sawzall.
Thanks for all the great replies. There is not much space to work with, that's why I was wondering if the longer recip saw blade will not strike the underbody. The chain cutter sounds fine so I will try it as a last resort. Cleaning the cat while it is hanging underneath a jacked-up car is very difficult. I don't have a lift and don't want to take it to a mechanic shop. The pipe can be approached only from below. I tried cutting it with a 5 inch angle grinder, but the pipe is 2.5 dia so it left about 1 inch uncut. Have ordered 7 inch cutting disk and will have another go with the larger angle grinder. I will post how it goes.
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The space is too small to finish the last 1 inch with a hack saw. I tried it but the saw strikes the body before even starting to cut. I will invest in the pipe cutter if everything else fails.
I know it sounds rather hokey but it might save you from investing in a tool you may not need again but you only have an inch to go...
Is it possible that you could wear a heavy glove or wrap one end of a hacksaw blade in a rag and duct tape to fashion a makeshift handle (Snap it shorter if necessary) then poke it up there to make the last of the cut?
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Is it possible that you could wear a heavy glove or wrap one end of a hacksaw blade in a rag and duct tape to fashion a makeshift handle (Snap it shorter if necessary) then poke it up there to make the last of the cut?
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Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
Can't just break off whats left of the bolts?
bad_idea
Well-known member
Saws all. Name says it.
Yep it's a basic that everybody ought to own even if it's the HF one though I'd get a better brand if you can afford it. I paid 35 for my corded 11? amp Makita reciprocating saw off Offer Up. Like new shape in the box.
I use it like a chainsaw. It's pretty safe. It's paid for itself 20 times over. I put a HD blade on it and cut down an old thick metal basketball hoop for someone and made $100. I beat the **** out of it and it begs for more.
Bondo
Well-known member
Ayuh,..... That's what blue-tip wrenches were invented for,.....
A couple minutes with O/Ac torches, 'n slap on the new pipes,....
Before ya cut it apart,....
Heat those badly rusted nut, cherry red, 'n quench 'em with water,....
They'll probably come right apart,....
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Keep in mind that a sawsall blade can be ground into for a custom length for special uses.
Bad Eye Bill
Well-known member
I've cut pipes in some pretty tight areas with a sawsall, just have to look it over and plan well and yes, you can modify the blades somewhat if needed. Always buy good quality blades too, the cheap ones will drive you up a wall.
I used to cut exhaust pipes with either a O/A torch, a cutoff wheel on a grinder or an air powered cutoff tool, no more, the sawsall is far superior. No hot slag or sparks, etc. in your face, ears, hair, etc. No cutoff wheel binding and breaking and embedding parts of it in your body.
Still get metal sawdust though so be sure to wear safety glasses of some sort.
I used to cut exhaust pipes with either a O/A torch, a cutoff wheel on a grinder or an air powered cutoff tool, no more, the sawsall is far superior. No hot slag or sparks, etc. in your face, ears, hair, etc. No cutoff wheel binding and breaking and embedding parts of it in your body.
Still get metal sawdust though so be sure to wear safety glasses of some sort.
niget2002
Well-known member
This. I was going to say that if the blade is too long, just cut the blade shorter. I've had to do it once or twice.
Lelandwelds
Well-known member
Funny, I have been able to utterly destroy anything at will since I was eight. Maybe you should ask an eight year old. Might be fun.
HAP
Well-known member
Good advice here...
Don't cut the front, cut the back and clean the cat out
Use the chain cutter if you can borrow one. Sawsall if ya can't!
bad_idea
Well-known member
I don't understand why you all say to cut the blade shorter. Just pull out a bit. You don't have to cut with the foot of the saw resting on the work piece.
rq375
Well-known member
yep, exhaust pipe, brake lines, fuel lines...
Thanks again for all your comments! I managed to finally cut it after binding & breaking two cut-off disks (thankfully the guard was in place, otherwise I might have lost a knuckle or two). The last 1/2 inch or so does cause blade binding, so anyone attempting this with an angle grinder should be careful. The darn thing needed a couple of hammer blows to finally separate from the pipe. The original cat will be difficult to find for this 20 year old car, so I am modifying it with a straight pipe and muffler.
bad_idea
Well-known member
You can get an aftermarket cat for about $60 in the US (I see you are in India). Not sure if emissions inspections are a concern there, but it would fail without a catalytic converter in most states.