I will be adding side pipes to my 65 ragtop this weekend. I just noticed that some t******* will have to be done on the front and rear quarter panels. Any tips? Should I use my whiz wheel? Small saw? How much of the rear piece needs to be cut away? In Noland Adams book he notes what was done but not much detail. Thanks in advance , Ray
adding side pipes
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Re: adding side pipes
Ray - there are detailed diagrams of the trim cuts necessary in your AIM to make the proper cuts to clear the pipes. Also, there are clips from the birdcage assembly to mount the non-sidepipe rocker mouldings, and I believe these need to be cut to clear the installation but I am not totally sure, someone else may chime in. Of course, there are all the other differences elsewhere you are probably aware of, but if you are going for driving pleasure versus judging correctness these would not be necessary....Craig- Top
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Re: Thimk Before You Hack
I'm sorry, but it's not possible to install factory side exhausts properly without any cutting. I don't know what the priorites are, but it's also very hard to convert one to the point of being undetectable with the chassis in the car. I've also seen a good bit of variation in the t******* of known original, undamaged sidepipe cars and there's a good deal of variation. I've yet to see one that exactly duplicates the pictures in the assembly manual.- Top
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Re: Glad you brought it up, Norris.
Thanks for the input gentleman. There are about 6 brackets on each side that are used to hold the bottom moulding on with small screws on. They must be attatched with the body off the car while it is being built. They are in the way of the side pipe. They have to be cut off. Also there is about 2.20 inches of body trim that has to be removed as the pipe and cover bend in towards the car. Also I will need a new real valance, without the exhaust holes.- Top
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Listen up
Ray:
Many moons ago, I cut my rocker brackets off to install factory side pipes. I also cut off the rear portion of the two something inches on the front fender you are referencing, leaving the front inch or so. I marked all my parts to re-install if the mood struck me. I have found out since, the rocker brackets do not need to be cut off via many posts on this forum. They simply need to be bent inboard to clear. I can't confirm. Just read it here.
The reason I did it this way was because I couldn"t find another Corvette around that had sidepipes on it to see what was correct even though Louisville, Ky area probably had more Corvettes per capita than any place in the nation. Aims did not exist to me at this time. Now every other Corvette has sidepipes. They used to be few and far between when new.
Whatever you do, save and mark your discarded pieces for later re-intallation. Someone will love you for it, if not yourself.
Mike- Top
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Clarification
Norris:
Let me restate what I said in my above post, but in a more lengthy manner. One can install sidepipes on a car built for undercar exhaust with MINIMAL damage to the original bodywork. If you try to duplicate the configuration found in the AIM, you will have to make so many modifications, that it will not be cost effective for you (or somebody else) to restore the car to its original configuration. Here is what you should do, and go no further, because you will not be fooling anyone, if that is your purpose:
1. DO NOT cut the rocker moulding brackets. Simply bend them back until they provide sufficient clearance.
2. Perform the surgery on the lower, trailing edge of the front gill panels as per the AIM.
3. The cuts to the forward lower quarters are not necessary.
4. The notches to the rockers/sill plates are not necessary.
Good luck, and enjoy your sidepipes.
Joe- Top
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