C1 Exhaust Hangers and Clamps S/S

[Bob A.]

Stainless steel or steel hangers and clamps? Which is the best way to go? If it's stainless, where can they be purchased quickly?

Thanks Again!

Bob

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Exhaust Hangers and Clamps S/S

Bob------

I'm a "stainless guy" ALL THE WAY (except master cylinder bores). If you drive the car, I'd use stainless for the clamps and "points" be damned. You can get them quickly from a source like Allen's Exhaust if you specify next day or second day air. For item like this which are relatively light and fit in a small box, it shouldn't be too expensive.

[Joe C.]

Re: C1 Exhaust Hangers and Clamps S/S

Joe:

Why don't you like SS for M/C bores? What about wheel cyl., or caliper bores? IMHO, there should be no difference.

Joe C.

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Exhaust Hangers and Clamps S/S

Joe-----

I agree; there's not a huge difference between the two materials. Either will last longer than any of us are likely going to need them.

However, the reason I prefer brass for master cylinders is the fact that the stroke travel for master cylinder pistons is much greater than that for wheel cylinders or disc brake pistons. Brass performs better for applications like this. Believe it or not, it wears better and is easier on m/c seals than stainless, regardless of finish. Also, usually brass sleeves are installed and then finish-honed to precise bore diameter and finish. Stainless sleeves are usually pre-bored and finished and then installed with a mandrel. I like the "in situ" finishing methodology used for brass.

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Exhaust Hangers and Clamps S/S

Zierden Company (who used to be a MAJOR manufacturer of SS exhaust parts) sold out to a company that now sells SS ex components. But for the life of me, I just cannot remember their name. I got this information by actually calling Zierden. The new company has a web site (seems it is something like ****CO), if I could only remember the name. They are BIG into VW performance stuff. I have bought clamps from them recently and have been quite satisfied.

[Tom P.]

Found it!

It is ****co.com

[Bob A.]

Re: C1 Exhaust Hangers and Clamps S/S

Thanks to everyone for your generous sharing of information. It is greatly appreciated.

Best Wishes,

Bob

[Bob A.]

Re: C1 Exhaust Hangers and Clamps S/S

Joe:

Do you have a phone number or web address for Allen's Exhaust? I was unable to find them.

Thanks,

Bob

[Todd H 26112]

FWIW I ran into a problem w/ SS once...

First let me preface this by saying it was a non-Corvette. On one of my project cars here - it had 'flanged' exhaust hookups and ran very hot temps - These were 1/2" thick flanges on 11ga mild steel pipes (no that's not a typo). Anyway I used SS bolts/washers/nuts once (and exhaust gaskets) to bolt the flanges together and after a year or so the bolts had yellowed (looked like bronze) and galled(sic?). Only one came off and it literally 'screached' all the way down the threads. The others I had to break off w/a heavy breaker bar and a cheater pipe on top of that.

I don't know if this is an issue on Corvette exhausts however...perhaps not?

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Exhaust Hangers and Clamps S/S

Bob-----

It's www.allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com It's a real "tongue-twister".

[Joe L.]

Re: FWIW I ran into a problem w/ SS once...

Todd----

What you describe is VERY common. Exposed to very high heat, stainless exhaust systems and components do yellow. The stud/nut problem is also common if one uses steel or stainless steel nuts in combination with steel or stainless steel studs. I ALWAYS use brass nuts in combination with steel or stainless steel studs to avoid this problem. Brass nuts are NOT original to any Corvette application, but I use them anyway.

[John M.]

Re: FWIW I ran into a problem w/ SS once...

Joe is exactly right on gaulling of the stainless. If you do not put anti-sieze on the threads, you will almost never get them off. I am building a car right now with all high strength polished stainless bolts and ran out of anti-sieze the other night while working on it, but I figured what the heck I would take the nuts back off the next day and put some on. The next day, I had to break the 1/2" bolts off my shock mounts with a 3 foot breaker bar! I should have known better! It was an expensive lesson, as Totally Stainless is incredibly proud of their bolts with most of the large sizes costing over $10 per bolt!

Regards, John McGraw

[Terry M.]

Re: FWIW I ran into a problem w/ SS once...

Yes Totally Stainless (800-767-4781) is proud of their products, but they are so beautiful, even if non-stock. They even supply grade 8 equivalent stainless fasteners.
Some stainless fasteners are supplied with a wax coating (light red is the most common) that prevents galling and allows future removal. It does not hold up under exhaust system heat, however. We used stainless steel and silicon bronze fasteners extensively at the utility I used to work for. Think of removing fasteners that have been exposed to mid-western weather for 30 or 40 years.

[John M.]

Re: FWIW I ran into a problem w/ SS once...

Terry,
That is all I am using on my chassis is the grade 8 equivalent bolts. Some places I could get by with the regular stainless bolts, but the small head and washer shoulder just looks so good on their high strength bolts! I had no Idea when I started this project, that all the fasteners on a C4 suspension were metric and there is no place that sells high strength Metric bolts that look real nice. I have converted every single fastener from metric to english measurement bolts on the suspension as I have built the running gear for the 59.
I have used more helicoils in the last month than I have used in the last 10 years!

Regards, John McGraw

[Todd H 26112]

Re: FWIW I ran into a problem w/ SS once...

In this case the bolts, lock washers and nuts were ALL stainless. Since then I learned the value of more heat tolerant fasteners. I didn't realize you could 'mix' the SS w/ brass - I'll keep that in mind!

On a vintage Corvette I imagine the one place this would most likely be an issue is around the exhaust manifold - not sure if it's as bad further downpipe w/ clamps however...? Lesson learned - Just thought it worth mentioning.

Outside of nuts on exhausts - Color me a stainless-steel-ophile as well.

thanks