I am in the process of installing a new exhaust system on my 63. The current system was not correct. In looking at the heat sheild and the tail pipe, it appears to me that the heat sheild must be force fit...pounded on...over the chrome tail pipe. Is this correct? If you have done this assembly how did you do it? Any advice? Thanks.
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Re: 63 Tail Pipe / Heat Sheild
My memory may be faulty, 'cause I am thinking the heat shield is split longitudinally along one side (perhaps I'm mixing them up with the trim bezels). At any rate, here are some thoughts:
Sheet metal fits are never precise.
I think the heat shield does need to be fitted onto the stainless extension until it seats at the point the stainless extension diameter gets larger. If it's a really tight fit, it might help to heat the shields in an oven and leave the stainless extensions in the freezer until just before assembling them. But, it seems to me that assembling them together in a fixed position means you have to consider how you'll get them onto the muffler pipes without removing the fiberglass exhaust panel.
Better yet, if the fit between the shield and the stainless extension is simply too tight, perhaps you could stop by a muffler shop and have them adjust the shields to slide smoothly onto the stainless extensions... they have pipe expander tools that would allow them to force open the inside diameter of the shields until they just slide onto the extensions without a struggle and without rattling around loose.
Also, if the shields fit too tightly they may interfere with sliding the stainless extension on the muffler pipe and you'll have a rougher time trying to get the proper adjustments of fit between the mufflers, shields, stainless extensions, and the exhaust panel bezels.
If pre-assembled, it may be difficult to slide the stainless extension onto the (installed) muffler rear pipe... it might require you to remove the fiberglass exhaust panel and/or the trim bezels initially; if the shields don't have an interference fit, you may be able to slip the shield onto the muffler pipe first, then onto the stainless extension as it is being inserted through the trim bezel.
Then before clamping, you have make sure the bevel cut of the rear of the stainless extension is oriented correctly and both stainless extensions stick out through the exhaust panel the same distance, while centered in the exhaust panel holes, and adjust the shield to be 5/8 inch to 3/4 inch inboard of the rear of the exhaust panel trim bezel; when everything is aligned, tighten the muffler hanger bracket bolts and clamp the shield and the stainless extension together. Whew! That's a lot of juggling of adjustments, which is why I used to have a (competent) muffler shop do the job... they have a lift and a lot of fixtures & stands they can use underneath the car to get everything lined up before they fasten it all down.
Good luck.
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