1963 Exhaust Ground Straps

[Rob A.]

I am in process of replacing the exhaust system on my unrestored 1963 coupe. The car is a June '63 build. Looking at the Judging manual, I believe that there should be ground straps at the muffler mounting bracket on late build cars. Is this strap identical to the one at the cross member? Long Island Corvette's catalog does not show a specific strap for the muffler.

Thanks for the input and help.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust Ground Straps

On page C363 of the 63 assembly manual you will find the ground strap placement for AM/FM Radio's optioned 63 Corvettes! That page is dated 5/16/63 which would indicate 63's made on or after that date should have that arrangement IF the assembly line received the update.
Personally I have never seen a 1963 that had those ground straps. The rear mount HAS a copper plate that connects the bottom of the mount to the upper. It is grounded without the ground strap.
All this means is that I have never seen a ground strap in that position but it don't mean it never happened. Sometime-Somewhere!

I'm sure you have the assembly manual!

JR

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust Ground Straps

Agree with JR

[Rob A.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust Ground Straps

On page C363 of the 63 assembly manual you will find the ground strap placement for AM/FM Radio's optioned 63 Corvettes! That page is dated 5/16/63 which would indicate 63's made on or after that date should have that arrangement IF the assembly line received the update.
Personally I have never seen a 1963 that had those ground straps. The rear mount HAS a copper plate that connects the bottom of the mount to the upper. It is grounded without the ground strap.
All this means is that I have never seen a ground strap in that position but it don't mean it never happened. Sometime-Somewhere!

I'm sure you have the assembly manual!

JR

Thanks, that makes it easier with no ground strap! It was the assembly manual and Judging Guideline that had me confused.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust Ground Straps

Some replacement mounts use a brass plate instead of copper. These will transmit exhaust sound vibrations to the chassis and you'll wonder why or from what source they are coming from. I had that problem many years ago and finally figured it out. I went to the woven ground straps used on later C-2's and that solved the problem - right or wrong. Guess they figured that out at GM too and is why they changed it.

Stu Fox

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust Ground Straps

I installed the LICS ground strap '63 only kit after my judging in Lakeland...the muffler bracket straps are in the kit and they are a specific length.
IIRC - the instruction sheet in the kit shows that. My original car did NOT have straps at the muffler brackets but did everywhere else; so I went step by step and matched the old corroded straps (by length and size of terminal opening) to the originals. What was left were the two I put on the muffler clamps. Be they right or wrong they are on the car now... I have a late May split window...