1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Guys, I am preparing to buy an exhaust system for my 1956 Corvette which is undergoing restoration. When I removed the exhaust system, I noticed that the flange (with 3 holes) which attaches to the exhaust manifolds is welded to the exhaust pipe on both sides in stead of being free floating as I know was done on later models. This appears to be part of the manufacturing process when the pipes were made. It did not look like something that "bubba" might have done. I have owned this car for over 42 years and these pipes have been on there as long as I have owned it. Does anyone know if this is correct for 1956? I ordered some parts the other day and asked a sales associate from one of the larger Corvette reproduction part suppliers and they did not know. I feel sure that one of our members knows the answer to this question. Thanks in advance! Brooks Glover (2141)
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
The flange is welded to the exhaust pipe. -
Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Mark, thanks for the reply. I am not doubting what you say but I am wondering what is your source? I don't have the latest judging manual (4th edition). It doesn't say anything about this. The folks at Paragon did not have an answer either. Since the pipes I removed were welded, I will probably go back with this if I can find it. Thanks! Brooks Glover (2141)Comment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Brooks, AIM shows they were not welded. Gary....
NCRS Texas Chapter
https://www.ncrstexas.org/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565408483631Comment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Brooks;
The exhaust flanges on my 56 are free floating. The 56-57 AIM shows them as free floating with a part number of 3734402. I have never seen them welded to the pipes.
EdComment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Brooks,
The flanges are welded on the 55's We have original drawings that show this but we do not believe that the flanges were welded on the 56's.
Eric Gardner
Gardner ExhaustComment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Gary, thanks for the reply. The picture from the AIM you posted shows the flange being free floating. There is also a cross-over pipe shown in the picture which to my knowledge was not used till 1957 on the high HP engines. When I go out to the shop later I will take pictures of the pipes I removed. I think it would be easier in manufacturing to flair the end of the pipe to allow the flange to free float rather than to weld it in place. I know this was done on later models but I still wonder about 1956. Brooks Glover (2141)Comment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Brooks, left side is from optional engines and right side is for standard engines. Included the optional engine as it's easier to see. Gary....
NCRS Texas Chapter
https://www.ncrstexas.org/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565408483631Comment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Guys, when I bought the car the pipes I am attaching pictures of were with it installed in their proper location. The mufflers had been replaced but the exhaust pipes appeared to be original. The white paint was where I painted them with high temperature paint around 1968. See what you think. Brooks Glover (2141)Comment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
The pipes on my 56 were welded. I also saw a 56 that the owner bought new with a welded head pipe flange. I believe the AIM is from 1957. Maybe Jim Frakes can chime in.Comment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Mark, thanks for the reply. It looks like this is going to be a contraversial thread with some saying that the flanges were welded and others say they were not. The pipes I pictured in a previous thread were on my car for over 42 years that I have owned it until I recently removed them to restore my '56. I knew the car before this and they were on there then. If I can find exhaust pipes with welded flanges, this is the way I am going to restore it. Back in the day (mid to late 1960's) I can only remember only one other '56 in our area. If my memory serves me correct it also had welded flanges. All of the '57 and later Corvettes I saw back then had free floating flanges (except those with headers). I wish there were some way to document this as I truly believe that many '56's came this way with welded flanges. Thanks! Brooks Glover (2141)Comment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
My March 1st (or April 1st, can't remember now) Chevrolet parts book does NOT show a separate part or part number for this flange. My 1957 Chevrolet parts book does show a separate part number of 3734402. This 3734402 is also what is shown in the AIM.
Doe someone out there have 1956 Chevrolet parts book dated later than mine? I think the group number is 3.610 (if my memory serves, which is always questionable).
My 56 (VIN #2117) has free floating flanges, but the whole exhaust system looks too good to be original.
The 55 pipes would be two bolt, and not ram horn style manifolds. The early 56 exhaust mainfolds were also two bolt, but ram horn style.
Interesting discussion.Comment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Gentlemen, contacted Jim Frakes and Dick Robinson, both said 56's were welded and a bugger to install. Jim will check to see if he has his original and if so will send a photo. Change to floating flange and doughnuts occurred with '57 model year. Gary....
NCRS Texas Chapter
https://www.ncrstexas.org/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565408483631Comment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
This issue is similar to a discussion that I had several years ago (that the aluminum intakes only came with aluminum inlets). I was staring at a one owner original car and talking to the owner about the cast iron inlet. I wrote an article; and after numerous discussions, the cast iron inlet was given the okay for judging. I also argued that late 56s may have had their engines painted orange. After much debate that was also deemed a possibility. I have parts books for each year from 1953 through the 70s; however, these and the 1957 AIM, may not give the complete picture. That is why these original one owner cars are so valuable.Comment
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Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?
Do we have more specific info on when the actual change occurred? Late 56, at model change over, early 57?
Still an interesting topic.Comment
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