1965 Standard exhaust - were mufflers clamped to pipes or welded at factory ?

[David K.]

Quick question - When undermount standard exhaust cars left the factory in 65', were the mufflers welded to the pipes, clamps used...or a combination of both ? Car in question is an L76 - 365 car with original bill of sale which does not mention N11 off-road or side pipes...
Thanks in advance.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1965 Standard exhaust - were mufflers clamped to pipes or welded at factory ?

David mufflers were welded directly to muffler inlet, chrome tips had clamps.

[David K.]

Re: 1965 Standard exhaust - were mufflers clamped to pipes or welded at factory ?

Thanks Ed;
The new exhaust system installed on my car last year was clamped at the "muffler to main pipe" connection. We will weld accordingly and then remove the clamps.
Regards; David

[Paul D.]

Re: 1965 Standard exhaust - were mufflers clamped to pipes or welded at factory ?

Hopefully more knowledgeable judges will reply here, so wait until they do before you go to the trouble of welding on the service type, clamp on mufflers. I don't think they will be any more configuration compliant than clamps. Original, factory rear pipes were continuous to within about 3/4 inch of the muffler, where they were welded. All service replacement mufflers had a curved pipe with an expanded end to fit on a round section of the pipe after cutting off the muffler. I guess a weld may be a little more secure, but clamps and a little rust have awesome holding power. If judges are giving extra credit for welds, I hope they post here as I am unaware. Chip.

[Gene M.]

Re: 1965 Standard exhaust - were mufflers clamped to pipes or welded at factory ?

Thanks Ed;
The new exhaust system installed on my car last year was clamped at the "muffler to main pipe" connection. We will weld accordingly and then remove the clamps.
Regards; David

That still will be wrong. The configuration of the pipe is not two pieces joined at the muffles as replacements are configured.

[James G.]

Re: 1965 Standard exhaust - were mufflers clamped to pipes or welded at factory ?

All non side pipe exhaust had a head pipe attached to the exhaust manifold, that was about three feet long. Then the exhaust pipe with the muffler, about 10 feet long, was attached at the head pipe connection with a clamp. The muffler was welded to the pipe. The chrome tip was clamped after the system was installed.

N11 exhaust had a two chamber muffler, where the standard muffler had 3 chambers and were much quieter. N-11's have a unique sound.

Chevy parts had service replacement mufflers only as they would rot due to the angle they were mounted, and the moisture condensation would never fully evaporate unless you drove far on a highway.. Original muffers had no visible part number, where service parts do. NOS N-11 sets have the GM part numbers on the muffler and are welded to the long exhaust pipes .

Gardener makes a very nice original set, and so does Corvette Central. ZIP Products and Mid America. and other major Corvette venders all sell 2'' and 2.5 inch high performance systems. See 1964-1965 Corvette 327 Hiperf or Manual 2 1/2" Welded Exhaust System., Item Number: EX-1016W for an example in ZIP to see photos of what I am talking about.

[Paul D.]

Re: 1965 Standard exhaust - were mufflers clamped to pipes or welded at factory ?

James, just to be clear, the service N11 mufflers came with the exhaust pipes welded on, correct? I thought I had seen this somewhere before but was not sure. It is my understanding that this was exclusive to N11 and all other service mufflers had the short, curved pipe that allowed cutting off the potentially rusted pipe end before fitting the new muffler. My reason for replying to this thread was to question if merely welding a service muffler to the pipe would give any judging advantage. My opinion would be no, since configuration and installation would still be different, just without a clamp. Chip.

[James G.]

Re: 1965 Standard exhaust - were mufflers clamped to pipes or welded at factory ?

Yes, and I have also seen the mufflers only. Yes, I would weld to the pipe, but for a NCRS answer I would get the 65 Team to answer. You may get many opinions, after 53 years of history.