[stovebolt]

hello everyone,
got question for anybody out there that owns a 1981 ford fairmont or any other year that came with the 3.3 straight 6 , on the exhaust manifold right below where pipe hooks up there is a round coffee can shaped cylrinder is that
another cat converter or pollution control device ?
where the pipe hooks up to the manifold its like a odd shape 3 bolt triangle shape not like a regular exhaust flange i have seen before. any help would be great or pics.
stovebolt

1981 FORD FAIRMONT WAGON

[stovebolt]

can anyone help

[grog11]

Walker Exhaust site shows it as the converter.

[stovebolt]

i have aready busted out the cat behind trans kind of s shaped
cat. notice the coffee can shaped object where head pipe bolts to manifold.
thanks stovebolt

[grog11]

Well then why don't you go ahead and bust out the other cat converter and you will be totally illegal.

[stovebolt]

here in alabama we do not have emisson testing,plus i replaced muffler with oem so its not loud to cause any attention. from the local sound patrol just want to no if car came with another cat below manifold is it a resonater or cat
thanks stovebolt

[Jonzo77]

or you can look for the 78-79 downpipe (one going to manifold), unless california is different, they dont have them, and you should bolt the pipe up to the manifold. everything else behind it is the same for both 3.3 and 2.3. this is coming from the FORD MOTOR COMPANY books

[stovebolt]

thanks,
where can i get info, pics or parts breakdown for my car. is there a website for vintage archives for fairmonts
so do you think mine is a cali car cause of the triangle bolt
pattern on exhaust flange to manifold are the earlier 3.3 just a
2 bolt pipe flange? or same as mine. my exhaust manifold has a 3 bolt triangle flange then below that there what looks like a small coffee can , then the down pipe is welded off the side of can then runs down to the cat.wondering if the can is a resnatoer
thanks stovebolt

[91xltlariat]

Walker Exhaust Solutions
From The Industry Leader

[stovebolt]

i looked at the exhaust system also the 1980 model on the walker website it look more like mine.it show a round can shaped hook up to manifold is that another cat in the diagraham

thanks
stovebolt

[Jonzo77]

No, i dont think its a cali car. The 80-83's had 2 converters. They just changed the design after 79. If you want to eliminate it, i would suggest finding a manifold and pipe from a 78 or 79. Or if you are looking for something thatll help performance, look at inlinesix.com. they have full length headers for the 200.

[stovebolt]

thanks for the info,
going see if the cat under manifold can be busted out. a exhaust manifold from older car would be harder to find would you say. i have had a hard time finding a exhaust manifold for my 250 chevy inline 6 cause old cars have been crushed and recycled. i may check into some headers but looks like tight fit
thanks stovebolt

[stovebolt]

well grog11 ,
You were right about it being a cat I went to the catco website and there it was for the sum of $300.00 not exactly chump change? Guess I'll have to weight my options.
thanks for the info everyone
They also had it at walker exhaust but only showed for 1980 model. FRONT CAT CONVERTER this one is kind of square shaped not round like mine must be design change.
stovebolt
1981 ford fairmont wagon
3.3 200 6 auto trans

[stovebolt]

Hey everyone,
On the topic of the cat below exhaust manifold
I removed it and found it was clogged up only a about 1 to 2 inch was letting exhaust out, So busted it out put it back on ,blocked off the egr, plugged the egr tube in exhaust manifold,removed the smog pump the only vac line is to the vac advance . The exhaust has a really cool hollow sound when
getting on the gas. but quiet not loud and if your on the freeway doing about 65 mph and stomp the gas it jumps about
10 mph real peppy now I gain some more horsey do you think.
real sleeper for six banger. it layed rubber on the pavement
thanks everyone
STOVEBOLT

on cat below manifold ford part# E1BE-5E211-DAGDB--0326

[Kruser]

Sounds like your performance problems fixed and you are now happy with it. It is my opinion that the catalytic converter should have never been put on any vehicle with a carburetor. Added to the problem is that some states demand that your replacement catalytic converter must only come from the factory. (Yea, I know your state doesn't do smog/safety inspections. Neither does mine) How many car manufacturers supply parts for a 30 year old vehicle?
Sounds like your car can now breath like it was supposed to.

[mark v]

The cat can be scrapped for some good cash. I did one on my 98 Explorer and got $45.

[stovebolt]

yes would have like to scape the cat for cash but had to reuse mine cause of the crazy exhaust manifold flange design, the one before the muffler I busted it out cause I didnt have any exhaust pipe to weld in place so every thing is free flowing for sure now even with the napa oem soundmaster muffler it has a
nice hollow sounding tone that surprise me when I first started the car. now that I have the engine problem fixed next up is to buy those 16" mustang pony rims or get a set of chrome full moon hubcaps.
thanks everyone
stovebolt