Exhaust for '65

[Jim S.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

What happened to Allens ? I thought that many on this forum placed them way up there on being correct .

Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

What happened to Allens ? I thought that many on this forum placed them way up there on being correct .

Jim

Jim-------


I've always liked them, too. However, I heard of a few problems in the recent past. However, I've heard of problems with the systems supplied by ALL of the exhaust system manufacturers. I like Allen's because they do stainless steel, although I did have a fitment problem with one of their system components (left side, 2-1/2" big block forward pipe for 66-68 applications). I HIGHLY favor stainless steel. Aluminized would be a second choice for me. I would not want plain carbon steel under any circumstances. Period. As far as I know, Gardner's only offers plain carbon steel, so they're out for me. Corvette Central offers both carbon steel and aluminized. That's why I suggested them in this case-----they generally have a good reputation for fitment and they offer aluminized. The latter is probably the best and most practical solution for most folks. Not for me, of course, but for most folks.

[Harry S.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

Jim-------


I've always liked them, too. However, I heard of a few problems in the recent past. However, I've heard of problems with the systems supplied by ALL of the exhaust system manufacturers. I like Allen's because they do stainless steel, although I did have a fitment problem with one of their system components (left side, 2-1/2" big block forward pipe for 66-68 applications). I HIGHLY favor stainless steel. Aluminized would be a second choice for me. I would not want plain carbon steel under any circumstances. Period. As far as I know, Gardner's only offers plain carbon steel, so they're out for me. Corvette Central offers both carbon steel and aluminized. That's why I suggested them in this case-----they generally have a good reputation for fitment and they offer aluminized. The latter is probably the best and most practical solution for most folks. Not for me, of course, but for most folks.

Joe, with Gardner you have your choice.

[Tony S.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

I've got a Gardner set on my '65 convertible. I'm very happy with the assembly. Make sure you research the exhaust/muffler blackout.
Tony

[Steve C.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

Tony, on another subject, I was visiting with you at the Frisco meet in October about radiator replacement for my my A.O. Smith '65. You said when I replace it I should request some slight mods/adjustments. Do you remember what those were?

[Tony S.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

Hi Steve. If you request Dewitts to do so, they can do a pretty good job of replicating the original top plate and clamp marks on the top of their restoration radiators. Call Dewitts and talk to John. He was exhibiting a sample radiator with these features at Bloomington last summer. I ordered one for my '65 since because my original radiator is showing its age. I'm pretty pleased with it. It is a modest up-charge, and we are deducting for the regular Dewitt radiators that don't exhibit these features. Hope this helps. Tony

[Steve C.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

Thanks for the radiator info Tony. I'll give them a call. By the way, did Your Gardner exhaust come with a welded muffler?

[Tony S.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

Steve, I'm not positive what you mean by a welded muffler, but the Gardner system is a two-piece pipe system. The front pipe and then the rear pipe.

[Gene M.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

Jim-------


I've always liked them, too. However, I heard of a few problems in the recent past. However, I've heard of problems with the systems supplied by ALL of the exhaust system manufacturers. I like Allen's because they do stainless steel, although I did have a fitment problem with one of their system components (left side, 2-1/2" big block forward pipe for 66-68 applications). I HIGHLY favor stainless steel. Aluminized would be a second choice for me. I would not want plain carbon steel under any circumstances. Period. As far as I know, Gardner's only offers plain carbon steel, so they're out for me. Corvette Central offers both carbon steel and aluminized. That's why I suggested them in this case-----they generally have a good reputation for fitment and they offer aluminized. The latter is probably the best and most practical solution for most folks. Not for me, of course, but for most folks.

I agree with Joe. Have had stainless exhaust on my 65 driver for 30 years and should be good when I'm gone. They still sound great and NO RUST. Yes, I like Allen's because they are 300 series stainless steel.

[Harry S.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

Thanks for the radiator info Tony. I'll give them a call. By the way, did Your Gardner exhaust come with a welded muffler?

Steve, Gardner does not weld the muffler to the second pipe. That is up to the buyer to do. It's another step in the process but I think it helps make a better fit.

Call them, they are great folks to talk with. The owner normally answers the phone.

[Joe L.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

Steve, Gardner does not weld the muffler to the second pipe. That is up to the buyer to do. It's another step in the process but I think it helps make a better fit.

Call them, they are great folks to talk with. The owner normally answers the phone.

Harry------


Yes, I'm sure the fact that they don't weld the rear pipe to the muffler has to do with the ability to allow movement at this junction for fitment. However, here's what I don't understand: The original GM system used rear pipes that were always welded to the mufflers at their manufacturing source. This applied to both PRODUCTION and SERVICE pipes for N-11 systems as well as PRODUCTION assemblies for standard exhaust. These systems always fit perfectly. So how come none of the aftermarket systems appear to be able to consistently achieve perfect fitment? I think I know the answer, though: the GM pipes were DIE-FORMED and the mufflers were welded to the rear pipes in precision, high-quality jigs.

[Harry S.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

Joe, that is the answer. Most of the producers have put the measurements into a CAD/CAM machine then they run the pipe through a bending devise that is driven by the computer. One of the manufactures admitted at the Florida Regional last year that their measurements were incorrect thus they had incorrect bends in the pipes. They did not know how to fix the problem.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

So how come none of the aftermarket systems appear to be able to consistently achieve perfect fitment?

Joe,

I have installed several Corvette Central 2 inch welded systems in 71 and 72 Corvettes which fit with no issues. The latest one I installed was in May, and the car went on to achieve Bloomington Gold as well as Gold Survivor a few weeks later. So, at least one particular system fits well in my experience.

Patrick

[Steve C.]

Re: Exhaust for '65

Harry, that answered my question. Thanks.