Hello all,
I am planning on removing the exhaust pretty soon. This will be step one to removing the transmission and engine in the future.
Are there any tips, tricks or advice I should know prior to removal?

Thank you!

 

I suggest you loosen all the joints while everything is attached. Then, I find it is easiest to separate the exhaust at the downpipe to rear first and the joint before the cage after the underfloor silencer. Then the entire under-car run and silencer comes out as a unit.
After that loosen the slip joint between the rear of the cage pipe and the tunnel silencers and get the tunnel silencers out. Then wriggle the cage pipes out rearwards, having first pushed them forwards to release the pin that holds them to the underside of the cage top.
After all that, if you can, undo the manifold to downpipe nuts. These are very hard to get at on the LHS of LHD cars, even more so with the catalytic converter in the way. Also it is all too easy to crack the stud or the actual cast iron flange of the manifold itself. At this point, if the exhaust is being replaced, it is probably best to cut the downpipe and do the undoing when the engine is out.
When the engine is lifted out it is easier with the front axle subframe swung downwards. Also you may have to remove the rear subframe mountings from the chassis rail, if the remains of the downpipes foul them. These mountings stick inwards a surprisingly large amount from the inside of the chassis rails.

 

Thank you for the advice!