1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?

[Gary C.]

Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?

Ed, 4026 had a '57 frame stencil, '57 rear spring front hangers and a red engine and with welded exhaust. Possible that the very last 56's could have the '57 style exhaust pipes since they were produced basically at the same time as the early 57's were. Would be interesting if an original 4350 to 4467 '56 could be found. Gary....

[Brooks G.]

Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?

Gary, several years ago there was a very low mileage '56 Corvette somewhere in the Chicago area. Does anyone know anything about this car? The car I read about had less than 10,000 miles on it. It would be neat if one of our members owned this vehicle. I have no idea whether it was an early or late '56. Documented original low mileage cars could definitely answer lots of questions we have about these unique vehicles. Brooks Glover (2141)

[Gary C.]

Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?

Brooks, 2300 mile '56 from Wisconsin at the 96 Convention. Not sure where that car is now. Photos of '56 original welded flange courtesy of Jim Frakes from his May '56 car. Gary....

[Mark S.]

Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?

The 2300 mile Corvette at the 1996 Convention was owned by Steve Hendrickson; and went through the Mecum auction at Bloomington several years ago, and was purchased by an indivual from Florida.

[Brooks G.]

Re: 1956 Exhaust Pipes--Welded or Not?

Guys, I want to thank everyone for their input on this thread. I certainly did not intend to stir up a hornet's nest. I am glad what we were able to establish that '56's did come with welded exhaust flanges. I hope this will be a help to others restoring these rare and unique vehicles. Have a good one! Brooks Glover (2141)

[James F.]

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.

See below for several shots of what's left of my '56 header pipe. The lower tube (cut off) is 1 15/16" OD and the plate is punched out 5/16" material. The two parts are arc welded together. The plate had a flat asbestos gasket. The heat riser side had two of these gaskets one above the riser to the manifold and one below the riser plate sealing the header connection to the riser. Neither header had (or needed) an exhaust donut. There never was a crossover tube running between the header pipes. One can see this header pipe allowed for no adjustment for the pipes to pass through the holes in the "X" member and on to the back mufflers. '57's with the pipe adjustments and exhaust donuts were certainly an assembly improvement!