C2 rear side pipe installation/fastening.

[Ruud Z.]

I am in the proces of installing side-pipes on my '63 convertible (I do know it's not origininal). I found out that the heat-riser (or spacer) stays in the system, I found out that I have to remove the steering damper. I have all the required hardware but the only thing I cannot find is a drawing of how the rear of the side-pipe(s) are attached to the body/frame. I only have these familiar side pipe install drawing which doesn't realy shows how its done. Any help or drawings are welcome. my email is ruudzeller@yahoo.com.
Thanks Ruud

[Mike T.]

Re: C2 rear side pipe installation/fastening.

Ruud - The 65 on up frames have a 'keyhole' slot on the lower side of the frame just a short distance in front of the rear kickups. The bolt assembly slides into that slot for securing the rear of the factory side exhaust. Click on this frame repair section from Zip and you'll see what I mean. I don't think that keyhole slot was present on the 63-64 frames due to not offering factory side exhaust. http://www.zip-corvette.com/catalog/...category/6321/
I've seen a number of 63/64 Corvettes with added factory side exhaust from 65-67's so with a little work and the right dimensions, you could drill the end holes and open up the slot to accommodate your side exhaust rear bracket.

[John H.]

Re: C2 rear side pipe installation/fastening.

Ruud - The 65 on up frames have a 'keyhole' slot on the lower side of the frame just a short distance in front of the rear kickups. The bolt assembly slides into that slot for securing the rear of the factory side exhaust. Click on this frame repair section from Zip and you'll see what I mean. I don't think that keyhole slot was present on the 63-64 frames due to not offering factory side exhaust. http://www.zip-corvette.com/catalog/...category/6321/
I've seen a number of 63/64 Corvettes with added factory side exhaust from 65-67's so with a little work and the right dimensions, you could drill the end holes and open up the slot to accommodate your side exhaust rear bracket.

Ruud -

Or, you could use the hole in the rear mounting bracket as your template, mark the frame, and weld a threaded stud at that location.

[Ruud Z.]

Re: C2 rear side pipe installation/fastening.

Mike/John , many thanks for your clear replies.
I have 2 furthter questions on these '65-'67 keyhole slots.
- are these in the (vertical) framerail (behind the rocker panels) OR underside (horizontal) framerail ????
- is the round part of the keywhole towards the front or the back end of the keyhole ???
Thanks Ruud

[Stephen L.]

Re: C2 rear side pipe installation/fastening.

Rudd, Here is a page from the 67 AIM showing the side exhaust installation. The "keyhole and slot" are located on the outside lower angle of the frame. The round hole is forward of the slot. I don't have dimensions but it is a loose fit for the bolt head to pass thru and the slot to capture the bolt shank. I'd place the slot so that the bolt is about in the middle of the slot using the exhaust mount as a locator. (Install the pipe on the manifold for location dimension) The slot appears to be in the center of the slanted frame surface. The slot will have a radius at the rear point...

[Leif A.]

Re: C2 rear side pipe installation/fastening.

Rudd,
Allow me to further muddy the waters. Stephen's copy of the AIM showing the "keyhole" is apparently another case of a misprint in the AIM. Below is a picture of the driver side rear mount on my known factory original N14 '67 coupe. Note, that in the AIM picture, the hole where the bolt enters is towards the front of the car and the slot is towards the rear. On my car it is the exact opposite. The slot of the key way is towards the front and the bolt hole is oriented towards the rear. As John mentioned earlier, it may be easier to just cut the head off the appropriate sized bolt and weld it to the frame.

edit...the picture is 180 degrees rotated. The left side of the picture is the rear of the car. If I knew how to rotate the picture, I would.

[Stephen L.]

Re: C2 rear side pipe installation/fastening.

Rudd, I just looked at my side pipes and Leif is correct the large hole is to the rear. When all is said and done, the rubber mount covers nearly the entire hole/slot area so the suggestion of welding a threaded stud would probably be the easiest solution, and the pipes would be considered "aftermarket" anyway.

[Ruud Z.]

Re: C2 rear side pipe installation/fastening.

Guys, Thanks you all for your helpfull advise and suggestions