Midyear Headpipe part # help

[Rick B.]

Researching the very complex part # world of exhaust pipes and looking for a little help for those who have a better parts catalog collection than I. I really hope someone can help.

3869583 (LH) and 334932 (RH) are shown as the part #'s for BB head pipes as late as 73.

Looking back, when did 334932 enter the picture and replace 3869584?
I am having problems understanding the sequence of headpipe part numbers for the midyears, specifically, Special High Performance/BB.
Last, is 334932 the same configuration as 3869584?


Thanks in advance!!

[Richard M.]

Re: Midyear Headpipe part # help

Rick, I use this quite often.....

http://gmpartswiki.com/ click Search, enter part# and research away.

I played a bit and found these tidbits......
3869583...........

http://gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=89060

This history page says(I think) "06-71 Removed"

http://gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=68708

334932.....Lower right corner of the History page may have your answer..

http://gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=23662

It says the 3869584 was replaced with the 334932 on 3/73

Joe Lucia may be able to find some info about differences for you when he sees this thread. He has a gigantic P&A Catalog collection nd lots of detailed info.

Rich

[Michael H.]

Re: Midyear Headpipe part # help

Researching the very complex part # world of exhaust pipes and looking for a little help for those who have a better parts catalog collection than I. I really hope someone can help.

3869583 (LH) and 334932 (RH) are shown as the part #'s for BB head pipes as late as 73.

Looking back, when did 334932 enter the picture and replace 3869584?
I am having problems understanding the sequence of headpipe part numbers for the midyears, specifically, Special High Performance/BB.
Last, is 334932 the same configuration as 3869584?


Thanks in advance!!

Rick

The 334932 sounds like it was originally released for about a 1970 model. At some point, it was found that it could also be used to replace the original 3869534 pipe for 65-67 big block. If the later number did the same job with only minor differences, it would be logical to delete the 534 and keep the 932 that would fit both applications.

[Joe L.]

Re: Midyear Headpipe part # help

Researching the very complex part # world of exhaust pipes and looking for a little help for those who have a better parts catalog collection than I. I really hope someone can help.

3869583 (LH) and 334932 (RH) are shown as the part #'s for BB head pipes as late as 73.

Looking back, when did 334932 enter the picture and replace 3869584?
I am having problems understanding the sequence of headpipe part numbers for the midyears, specifically, Special High Performance/BB.
Last, is 334932 the same configuration as 3869584?


Thanks in advance!!

Rick------


I thought I answered this in an e-mail. Anyway, the GM #3869583 was the original forward, left side exhaust pipe used for 1965-1968 Corvette big blocks with 4 speed transmission. It was discontinued without supercession in October, 1992.

GM #3869584 was the original forward, right side exhaust pipe used for 1965-68 and 1970-72 Corvette big blocks with 4 speed transmission. It was discontinued in March, 1973 and replaced by GM #334932. GM #334932 was the original forward, right side exhaust pipe used for 1973-74 Corvettes with big block and 4 speed transmission. It was discontinued without supercession in July, 1996.

How do the 3869584 and 334932 compare? I don't know. However, I'm certain there is some difference but just as certain that the 334932 will nevertheless SERVICE 1965-68 and 70-72 applications. Attached are photos of an NOS GM #334932. I don't have a GM #3869584.


DSCN2918.jpgDSCN2919.jpgDSCN2920.jpgDSCN2921.jpg

[Rick B.]

Re: Midyear Headpipe part # help

Thank you guys and Joe, you did but just wanted a little more clarification and didn't want to bother you.

thanks again guys, Rich see you in Florida

[Richard M.]

Re: Midyear Headpipe part # help

Joe, great info. Those are interesting wrinkles in the pipes when they were fabricated.

Were they like that on factory built cars as well, or only the service replacements?

On a slightly different note, I acquired a original set of N14 side exhaust forward pipes for a '67 427 a few years ago. I used them on a L71 whose N14 2 1/2" pipes were cut at the muffler joint to have 2" pipes welded to them when the original owner blew up the 427 block and installed a smallblock in it's place. When we found a correct 427 to reincarnate the car back to L71 BB status, I needed to cut off the previously welded 2" pipes and re-weld 2 1/2" pipes back on.

They have no wrinkles in the bends. Do you know if they ever had wrinkles on the originals or service replacements? I'm unsure if these were original or replacements.

Part #'s stamped on them are:
GM-3872969-W LH
GM-3872970-W RH

Note the "-W" suffix on each. Any idea what that stands for? "Wagner"?

Rich
p.s. Rick, yes see you there. PM me your cell so we can plan.

P1060004.jpg P1060013.jpg P1060011.jpg P1060006.jpg

[Joe L.]

Re: Midyear Headpipe part # help

Joe, great info. Those are interesting wrinkles in the pipes when they were fabricated.

Were they like that on factory built cars as well, or only the service replacements?

On a slightly different note, I acquired a original set of N14 side exhaust forward pipes for a '67 427 a few years ago. I used them on a L71 whose N14 2 1/2" pipes were cut at the muffler joint to have 2" pipes welded to them when the original owner blew up the 427 block and installed a smallblock in it's place. When we found a correct 427 to reincarnate the car back to L71 BB status, I needed to cut off the previously welded 2" pipes and re-weld 2 1/2" pipes back on.

They have no wrinkles in the bends. Do you know if they ever had wrinkles on the originals or service replacements? I'm unsure if these were original or replacements.

Part #'s stamped on them are:
GM-3872969-W LH
GM-3872970-W RH

Note the "-W" suffix on each. Any idea what that stands for? "Wagner"?

Rich
p.s. Rick, yes see you there. PM me your cell so we can plan.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]49154[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]49155[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]49156[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]49157[/ATTACH]

Rich-------

The "wrinkles" are seen on both PRODUCTION and SERVICE pieces. In the vast majority of cases (probably about 99.5% of the time), PRODUCTION and SERVICE parts of the same part number and manufactured about the same time are absolutely the same. Over time, SERVICE parts of the original part number may change but usually only in minor ways. As far as the "wrinkles" go, these were a feature of the manufacturing process used to create them. In fact, the "wrinkles" are highly prized in restorations because they are seen in most original pipes but few reproduction exhaust pipes include them.

GM #3872969 and 3872970 are the forward exhaust pipes applicable to 1965-67 Corvettes with big block and side exhaust. I expect that all of the pipes of these part numbers are similarly configured. Due to low PRODUCTION volume, I expect that these pipes were manufactured using a different process than standard pipes and that's why they lack the "wrinkles".

The "W" stamping on exhaust system parts refers to Walker Manufacturing, one of the two major suppliers to GM for exhaust parts during that period. The other major supplier was Arvin, usually denoted by an "A".