Problem Installing New Heat Exchangers

[Irish911]

I am trying to install new SSI heat exchangers I purchased last fall (on a '70T). When installing the one on the passengers side the heat exchanger buts up against the oil cooler before I can get it set onto the 6 bolts. The back side I can push up onto the bolts but the front just touches the bolts before the heat exchanger hits the oil cooler. Has anyone else had this problem?

I measured between the exterior wall (where it goes up to the heater box) and the first exhaust hole on the new exchanger and it is about 0.5 cm (1/4 in) shorter than my existing heat exchanger. The drivers side fits perfectly.

[gled49]

A couple of things. The pipes will slide a little bit in the sheet metal, make sure the pipes haven't slid down. I have 2 engines with SSI, the 1986 exhaust SSI just touches the edge of the oil cooler. On both sets I had to take a big pipe and hit the pass side heat exchanger, just behind the oil cooler and up a few inches, to clearance for the rigid scavenger oil pipe of the 73 engine. Gled

[Irish911]

Thanks but don't know what you mean by pipes will slide a little in the sheet metal. Everything on the heat exchanger is solid and does not move.

[M_deJong]

Mine is sitting on the stand so I snapped these pictures. It's a tight fit. I could imagine if the tolerances were a bit off on the heat exchanger that it would interfere. I think the suggestion to clearance the tin with a hammer and pipe is a good way to go.

BTW I've had these SSI's for about 15 years. And sorry for the sideways pix.

On old factory h/e's the tin is loose enough to slide around on the pipes, but not on ssi's in my experience.

[Irish911]

Thanks Mike for the pictures. I wish I had that much clearance.

I am reluctant at this point to start banging on the heat exchanger to get it to fit. I was hoping someone else had run into this situation and could provide some guidance. I would be interested in hearing from anyone else that has ordered SSI's in the last 6 months if they have also run into this problem. Do I have a defective heat exchanger maybe? I can't see these as being hand made.

[Irish911]

So no one else has run into this problem?

I have a call in to the manufacturer and will hopefully find out something today. Maybe I have to return the one and get another one sent out.