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Pressure testing etop lights(no tailpipe headers)

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Old 03-09-2012 | 09:45 PM
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Default Pressure testing etop lights(no tailpipe headers)

I believe what i have are called e-top lights. Theyre similar to these:

http://teaguecustommarine.com/index....tinum-kit.html

Since they don't run tailpipes there's no jumper at the collector to plug. Anyone have any ideas how I could pressure test them? They're off so I figured I should.
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Old 03-10-2012 | 01:08 AM
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Most likely what you have are CMI Unitops like what I put on my Pantera. The only way I think of to pressure test them would be to get some plastic screw in plugs that fit in the water dump holes. Then teflon tape the threads so they seal well and screw them in.

Here is a pic of CMI Unitops
Attached Thumbnails Pressure testing etop lights(no tailpipe headers)-525sc.2.jpg  
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Old 03-10-2012 | 09:07 AM
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Those are the new less expensive Merc 496 e-tops that CMI came out with to offer a less expensive alternate to regular 496 sporttubes.
There really is no easy way to pressure test then because they have a octagon shaped inner pipe right at the end of the tip than dumps the water all the way around the exit and there is no real way to plug this transition to do a pressure test. Maybe if you talk to CMI, they have a fixture or tool to do so, I am not sure.

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Ray @ Raylar
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Old 03-10-2012 | 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Raylar
Those are the new less expensive Merc 496 e-tops that CMI came out with to offer a less expensive alternate to regular 496 sporttubes.
There really is no easy way to pressure test then because they have a octagon shaped inner pipe right at the end of the tip than dumps the water all the way around the exit and there is no real way to plug this transition to do a pressure test. Maybe if you talk to CMI, they have a fixture or tool to do so, I am not sure.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar
Ray mine are older and I was told they were e-top lights(if I remember right). I used the pic of just as reference and mine do have the octagon inner pipe. I'll call CMI on Monday.
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Old 03-10-2012 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Griff
Most likely what you have are CMI Unitops like what I put on my Pantera. The only way I think of to pressure test them would be to get some plastic screw in plugs that fit in the water dump holes. Then teflon tape the threads so they seal well and screw them in.

Here is a pic of CMI Unitops
Griff my collector is more similar to the pic I posted. I'll grab my camera and get some pics.
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Old 03-10-2012 | 11:48 AM
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FYI- here is what I have.

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Old 03-10-2012 | 01:53 PM
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on that style header you need to use a expandable rubber plug..if you can find a 3 1/2 '' plug at your local lows or plumbing suply store that you fill with air,you will also need a extension that fits on the inner semi bud wheels and screw it on so you can inflate the rubber air plug..you have to stick the plug in far enough into the tail to cover the water ports..hook a garden hose to the other end to pressureise the header..
http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CFQQ8wIwAA#
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Old 03-10-2012 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by mrfixxall
on that style header you need to use a expandable rubber plug..if you can find a 3 1/2 '' plug at your local lows or plumbing suply store that you fill with air,you will also need a extension that fits on the inner semi bud wheels and screw it on so you can inflate the rubber air plug..you have to stick the plug in far enough into the tail to cover the water ports..hook a garden hose to the other end to pressureise the header..
http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CFQQ8wIwAA#
fixx, thanks for the idea but I don't think that will work as the headers don't have "water ports", the inner and outer pipes extend to the end. Unless I am reading your post wrong. I'll have to find my camera and shoot some pics of the end
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Old 03-11-2012 | 03:30 PM
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Here's a pic of the end. As you can see the inside pipe is octagon shaped and the corners nearly touch the outside pipe.

I'm thinking I could:

1- Get a plug like fixx posted and plug the inside pipe as it transitions to a round pipe in just a few inches.

2- Slowly fill the walls between the inside and outside pipe with water by hooking a hose to the distribution tube.

3- Once filled cap the outside of the header with a "fernco" type fitting. Now the inside and outside pipe are sealed.

4- Apply water pressure through the distribution tube and look for leaks.

Or do the plugs with the headers dry and apply air to the headers in a tub ow water?

Any thoughts?

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Old 03-11-2012 | 05:37 PM
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Default fixx

oh,,you got the stop sign style,i thought they were like lightenings..go to your local auto parts store and pick up a can of the Rite stuff.clean the end with some brake cleaner then fill the hole,,let it set up for a few days,if you have a stant cooling system pressure checker use it to allpy pressure to the header and dunk it into a tub of water and look for air bubbles..you may have to adapt it to a 1'' hose tho..when your done pressure checking it take a exacto knofe and cut and remove the sealer from the end of the header..
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