1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

[Max B.]

I have a 68 427/400 A/C May 3, 1968 build date that I'm trying to find the correct exhaust tip clamps for. I've searched the archives, but haven't found an answer. Having looked at Paul Boroskis' Five Star 68 in St Charles last summer (didn't get his build date), it appears the clamps I need are different from those used in 69+ cars. The 68 clamps appear to have a natural finish, and a constant diameter U-bolt (see attached photo); not the flattened saddle style used in 69? Assuming the clamp on the Boroski-car photo is factory correct, does anyone know where I might find a set? Paragon and some other suppliers I've checked don't seem to carry these. Another 68 one-off?

Thanks for your thoughts/comments.

[Gene M.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Max,
I did find some clamps years ago (about 18 years) for my 68. The clamps looked as your photo. But they were not exactly correct in that the threads are 3/8" and should be 5/16" to be total correct. I can't say for sure where I got them but it might have been J.C.Whitney.

[Max B.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Thanks for your comments, Gene.

Have you had the car Flight Judged with those same clamps and, if so, how did they score? I'm wondering because the JG states on pg 78 "The exhaust tips are secured to the mufflers with a natural finish U-bolt with open style clamp. The U-bolts have the arched portion of the U flattened with nuts facing the center of the car".

I'm confused by 2 points in the description:
1. What is an "open style" clamp?
2. It seems the 69's use the flattened U-bolt, but do 68's? The clamps on Paul Boroski's car are not flattened. But are they factory original, I donno? Help, Paul!!

Max

[Paul B.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Thanks for your comments, Gene.

Have you had the car Flight Judged with those same clamps and, if so, how did they score? I'm wondering because the JG states on pg 78 "The exhaust tips are secured to the mufflers with a natural finish U-bolt with open style clamp. The U-bolts have the arched portion of the U flattened with nuts facing the center of the car".

I'm confused by 2 points in the description:
1. What is an "open style" clamp?
2. It seems the 69's use the flattened U-bolt, but do 68's? The clamps on Paul Boroski's car are not flattened. But are they factory original, I donno? Help, Paul!!

Max

Max, even though my car is a Five Star Bowtie car, it is very original and does have 43,700mi on it. The exhaust(or parts of are not original)pipes are "GM Off Road" style as are the mufflers(extra hanger bracket on rear face). I believe my tips are original to the car, but I believe the exhaust pieces mentioned were replaced in the late '80s/early '90s. I'm the third owner, bought it in 2003 with 42,600mi and the exhaust is exactly as I bought it in April of '03. I wish all the low mile super original '68s I viewed over the years I should have taken notes & pictures.

[Max B.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Thanks for the respone, Paul.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should use for the clamps, for Flight judging?

[Grant W.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Hi Max
I bought a set of 68 mufflers(embossed raised W) off an original s/b car about 10 years ago. I bought it only for the tips and clamps. I found my clamps to day and it is the U bolt with flatten top with the K on top of it. I am 99.9% sure this is off the 68 muffler because the tips were 68 and not a 69 style. Maybe Paragon repops the 2 inch U bolt but I'm not sure as they make a 2 1/2 inch with the flat shaped U bolt and it has a K on it.
I also have a set of the same configure style clamps off a 70 or 71 original one piece exhaust system and the clamps and U bolt is the same.
When I judged in Wa I did give a point deduction on the wrong U round bolts on a low mileage B/B 68 as his mufflers were changed at one point.
Hope this helps you out. Grant

[Gene M.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Max,
I didn't do well on exhaust because I have stainless. But the rest of the car did well with a Duntov Award. The photo Grant shows you looks like the real deal with the drawn formed ends on the sheet metal part and the "U" bolt with 5/16 thread with the flattened area in the middle of the loop. I have a 2 1/2" "U" bolt with 5/16 thread flattened loop but no sheet metal part. So I think the same style "U" bolt could have been used on the forward hanger too.

[Max B.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Thanks, Gene and Grant. Great, helpful, information.
Max

[Michael B.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Paragon does not list clamps for the 68. These are what you get for the 69-up. Two types of nuts are supplied and lock washers.

[Grant W.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Hi Gene, Max and Michael
Here is a pic of the original 2 1/2 inch mid section clamp. Even if you put the Paragon on I wouldn't deduct any point. Very close but not 100%. When I judged the low mileage 68 L89 I was feeling the mid section clamps. He had one original on the car and someone put a replacement non flat U bolt on.
Also note original U bolt has a W and the repops has K.
Hope these pics help.
Thanks, Grant

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

I have never seen originals that were plated a silver color. All the originals I have seen -- 2.5 or 2-inches -- have been natural.

[Max B.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Many thanks for all the help.
Max

[Dale C.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Grant, Hi Dale here. in this thread you said the 68 and 69 tips were different could you explain the difference?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Grant, Hi Dale here. in this thread you said the 68 and 69 tips were different could you explain the difference?

Dale------

The 1968 and 1969 exhaust extensions ("tips") were different. The primary difference related to the configuration of the transition section between the small and large diameters. The generally exposed section of the extensions (i.e. the part that most people would see when looking at the car) was essentially identical. However, if one were to inspect the underside of the car (as I suppose chassis judges are wont to do), the difference can be discerned.

[Dale C.]

Re: 1968 Exhaust Tip Clamps

Thanks Joe, I was looking to find out what this difference was, as I would like to ID this old magnetic set with two slots as 68 or 69. Dale