ATS 3-Piece Manifold

Dieselman359 · 09-20-2002, 12:14 PM

I purchased one at the TDR Nationals last month, and finally got it installed. First, the negative comments.
1. No hole for a pryo
2. No gaskets included
I e-mailed ATS about these two issues, and they replied that they used to drill and tap them for a pryo but stopped doing so as requested by a few of their distributers. My question is why not drill it?, If you don't put a probe in it, put a plug in its place.
They also said that they were working on a gasket of their own design. So I went to Cummins and bought some. (If some one wants part #'s, I've got them)
Now for the install, I was plesently suprised that the old rusty exhaust manifold bolts came out so easily. I'd been giving them the occasional shot of PB Blaster. I used a small 3/8 impact gun and the ones that it wouldn't reach, I used a 1/2 ratchet and broke the others loose

some of them scared me!!! That was the easy part. The instructions say to use a rubber hammer to pound (their expression) the 3 pieces together. That turned into a ball-peen with blocks of wood, then I was picking the whole thing up and beating it together with its own weight. That worked

I had some trouble lining up the bolt holes when I was trying to put it on, but finally got it. Oh, another negative, they supply allen head bolts to use, well on the centersection, you can't fit an allen wrench because of the angle. So I had to trim about a 1/4" off of a perfectly good allen wrench.
First impressions,
I noticed that my EGT was a little lower while driving, but I need to do some more driving. I was hoping for about 500 instead of 600 going down the highway, I'll have to go for a ride

I think with this and an Old Smoky mount (which I've been considering thanks to everyones positive input), maybe I'll have the lowest EGT first gen truck!!