The previous owner of my '66 had an exhaust system installed without centering the right extension out the back panel. Unfortunately, he had the muffler tack welded in a couple of spots to the pipe for some reason. Anyway, I want to center the extension in the opening. I plan on cutting the tack welds and loosening all the connections. Should I first adjust the muffler hanging brackets to center the pipe in the exhaust panel, and then work forward, tightening the clamps? I've only owned side exhaust cars, and I assume there is some correct sequence to getting this done as easy as possible.
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Re: '66 EXHAUST EXTENSION POSITION
Hello Rob,
If the exhaust system has been on the car for an extended period of time, you may want to squirt so penetrating oil or some heat valve lube into the pipe to muffler joint ahead of time in an attempt to loosen it when you go to make your adjustments. Before you get started you will want to support the exhaust system at a point just ahead of the pipe to muffler joint. Then cut the tack welds, loosen the pipe to muffler clamp, and all the exhaust hanger bolts at the muuffler and the bracket to frame bolts. From then on its a matter of getting the tail pipe extension centered where you want it. I will tell you that having a helper to either hold the muffler in place or tighten the bolts and clamps is a big help.
I hope this helps.
Best Regards,
James West -
Re: '66 EXHAUST EXTENSION POSITION
Rob,
You do know the factory exhaust was one piece from the down pipe back.
KevinComment
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Re: '66 EXHAUST EXTENSION POSITION
Kevin,
I wasn't aware of that. I though only the off-road system was welded together.Comment
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Re: '66 EXHAUST EXTENSION POSITION
Nope, any connection or weld at the muffler is after market. All under car was two piece, three if you caount the tips. There are repo one piece but the two piece only costs a point or two as long as the material and mufflers are correct.
KevinComment
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Kevin: Clarification please
Kevin,
When you say that "any connection or weld at the muffler is aftermarket", how was the muffler and forward pipe made and connect if they weren't welded by the the original supplier to GM? I would have thought that pipe and muffler would have to have been welded by someone, but I've never seen a 100% original exhaust system, so I haven't been able to inspect this area myself.
GaryComment
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Re: Kevin: Clarification please
Gary,
I just took two pictures to show you. I'll post them shortly. But the pipe was welded to the muffler as an assembly then connected to the down pipe with a clamp.
KevinComment
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Sorry got stuck at work
Not great pics but here you go. See #2 in next post.
Kevin
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Re: Sorry got stuck at work
Close up of muffler weld.
Kevin
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Kevin; redoing weld at muffler
Kevin,
Thanks for the photos. It's nice to see how it was done originally. One more question. If one had an NOS muffler and the correct front exhaust pipe that were separate, couldn't one slip the pipe over the muffler inlet and have it welded up to simulate the one piece design? I assume that's what the original supplier did.
GaryComment
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Re: Kevin; redoing weld at muffler
Gary,
Yes it could be duplicated, you'll have to have made a correct pipe that goes all the way to the muffler. Replacement pipes and mufflers have a bell and sleeve set up that falls short of the muffler at the bend. That being said I took an original pipe and muffler cut the bell off at the bend connection and had my muffler guy weld the two together and you can barley tell they are two pieces after a little black out.
KevinComment
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