Screw the "flex" pipe. I replaced a few and then came accross a much better solution. Get a ball and socket connector and weld them in. You'll never need to replace the "flex pipe" again. They are held together in tension with bolts, gives a really tight seal and can still flex.
Matt

By bruce (68.156.75.21) on Sunday, December 05, 2004 - 02:41 pm:

if it is just the flex pipe you can also get them thru jc whitney, I got one thru then...took it to mitas and the welded it in for 15 bucks.

By Jonathan (68.193.6.173) on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 11:01 pm:

I used a similar pipe to what's in that auction to replace the same section of my exhaust. The only thing about it that I didn't like was it doesn't have a provision for the heat riser off the pipe to go to the air cleaner. Other than that, it bolted right on. There were six bolts/nuts that needed to be removed, and four were pretty well rusted in place on mine, so some way to heat up the bolts may come in handy, but if the bolts can turn easily, I don't see any reason that you couldn't do it by yourself with a set of ramps. The metal gaskets to go between the pipe sections were still available at my local Honda dealer. Use plenty of anti-seize when you re-assemble it.

By Kyle Thomson (24.83.12.187) on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 05:39 pm:

if the flex joint is indeed leaking, or close to it, then the shop was telling the truth about using a universal flex, $90us is a pretty good price if it includes the parts and the labour. The shop I work at charges about $200can for the parts plus about $40 for labour. The flex pipes aren't cheap, my cost on the parts isn't much better. You can look on ebay for a whole new front pipe. Theres one one there right now I believe

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4509494534&category=34203
not mine, so condition is unknown

By Emfag108@aol.com (Ed) (152.163.100.199) on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 03:58 pm:

I have a question regarding the exhaust system on 1978 CVCC's. As I understand, the first pipe off of the manifold is referred to as "pipe A". The one on my car is the original and is generally in good shape. However, the braided-steel hose portion of it is deteriorated at each end where it transitions into the rigid pipe. In the not too distant future it will need to be replaced. The pipe itself appears to be very sound with the possible exception of the flange on the downstream end. I checked with a few Honda dealers who stated the "pipe A" was no longer available. A reputable local exhaust shop told me the flexible portion could be cut out and a replacement welded in for about ninety dollars. According to them, such replacement kits are regularly used and yield good results.

I am sure there are others on this discussion board who have faced a similar situation. What is the best approach for me to take? Are these flexible hose replacement kits really worthwhile? Are all of them the same in terms of quality and durability? Is it true that Honda is indeed out of the "pipe A"? Any advice would certainly be appreciated.

Ed Faggart
Lincolnton, NC