C2 mufflers ID

[Tom Merkel]

I picked up three C2 mufflers at a yard sale over the holiday. All are ID'ed differently, and am wondering what I may have gotten, if indeed these numbers mean anything at all. All are same size, approx. 17" x 9.5" oval.

1. Brand new with numbers "21510" and "6" (upside down with respect to the 21510), same side.

2. "INLET" and alpha numerics "11 (space) H2", and below that is "73397097", same side.

3. Lastly, a tailpipe welded to muffler (per original set-up) with only a simple "A".

The two used ones appear serviceable, but I really don't know. None are rusted thru. I believe the TIM says there should be/could be an embossed "GM", but none of these have it.

Thanks for any insight; I'm just curious. The mufflers on my '67 are in good shape.

Thanks.

Tom

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 mufflers ID

Tom-----

It's very hard to say, for sure. GM SERVICE mufflers for Corvettes usually did include the embossment "GM" somewhere on the muffler shell. As far as other numbers, they varied-----sometimes a GM part number was embossed and sometimes other numbers in additon to or in place of. Very often, a "W" or an "A" are seen embossed, too. These represent "Walker" and Arvin", the 2 original suppliers to GM of Corvette mufflers, PRODUCTION and SERVICE.

I've never seen a GM muffler which had the word "inlet" embossed on it. This is mostly a feature of aftermarket mufflers.

The assembly that you have may be an Arvin-manufactured and distributed early replacement for the N-11 muffler assembly. Once-upon-a-time, SOME of the Walker and Arvin AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT mufflers for Corvettes were identical to the GM pieces EXCEPT for "GM" logo and part numbers. This practice ceased years ago, though. ALL Walker and Arvin-Meritor replacement mufflers sold today are "generic" mufflers with Corvette-specific inlet and outlet extensions.

Does the exhaust pipe attached to the one muffler have the characteristic configuration of a die formed pipe (i.e. raised "humps" at some of the bends, swaged-down sections, and "flattened" cross section in some areas)?