Muffler part number? That has not been asked.....

[Rick B.]

The part numbers are 3943385 and 386. According to the archives they are often mentioned as C3 service replacement mufflers. I have heard they would be correct service replacements for my application, a C2. But I also thought the original C2 service replacement mufflers were 3846535 and 536?

Can someone help enlighten? Many thanks

Rick

[David L.]

Re: Muffler part number? That has not been asked.....

Rick,

GM part numbers 3943385 & 3943386 are listed for the 1968 Corvette in my 1969 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (effective Oct. 1968). My 1968 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1967) does not list any mufflers for the 1968 Corvette.

As per Chevrolet Parts History:
GM # 3846535 replaced with 3943385 in May 1969.
GM # 3931803 replaced with 3943385 in July 1972.
GM # 3846536 replaced with 3943386 in Feb. 1969.
GM # 3931804 replaced with 3943386 in Sept. 1972.

My 1969 Corvette Corvette Parts Catalog (Oct. 1969) lists GM # 3960601 and 3960602 for the 1969 Corvette.

The 3846535 & 3846536 mufflers first appeared in the 1964 catalog (Oct. 1963).
(1964-1965 w/SHP,FI and 1966-1967)
There are many other 63-67 Corvette muffler part numbers (depending on options) listed in my 1963-1967 catalogs.

Dave

[Rick B.]

Re: Muffler part number? That has not been asked.....

Dave, thanks for responding. For context

I am interested in acquiring/assembling the most accurate "1st generation" 2-1/2" service replacement exhaust system for a 65 BB. Finding an original 2-1/2 system Non N11 is nearly impossible.

Based on your post, I guess I can assume then that 3943385 & 3943386 is a "second generation replacement muffler suitable for my application - And the 3846535 and 536 was the "1st generation" replacement muffler. Correct?


I really find the world of replacement part #'s fascinating and while an enthusiast and not in the business, would love to be able to locate 63-67 GM parts catalogs. Have a recommendation on how to obtain?

Thanks for the help and sharing the knowledge

[Joe L.]

Re: Muffler part number? That has not been asked.....

Dave, thanks for responding. For context

I am interested in acquiring/assembling the most accurate "1st generation" 2-1/2" service replacement exhaust system for a 65 BB. Finding an original 2-1/2 system Non N11 is nearly impossible.

Based on your post, I guess I can assume then that 3943385 & 3943386 is a "second generation replacement muffler suitable for my application - And the 3846535 and 536 was the "1st generation" replacement muffler. Correct?


I really find the world of replacement part #'s fascinating and while an enthusiast and not in the business, would love to be able to locate 63-67 GM parts catalogs. Have a recommendation on how to obtain?

Thanks for the help and sharing the knowledge

Rick------


The difference between the original GM #3843385/3843386 and the 3943385/3943386 is the fact that the latter have dual muffler hanger brackets to make them applicable to both C2 and C3 applications. The original 3843385/3843386 had brackets only for C2 applications. Otherwise, except for alpha-numeric embossings, the mufflers are internally and externally identical.

However, while the PRODUCTION and SERVICE mufflers, themselves, are the same, the overall exhaust pipe configuration is different for STANDARD exhaust systems depending upon PRODUCTION or SERVICE. In PRODUCTION, the rear pipe (i.e. crossmember to muffler) was welded directly to the muffler. In SERVICE, the mufflers have an extension with a BELL JOINT (aka "slip" joint) and SERVICE rear pipes are commensurately shorter. When SERVICE mufflers are used with original rear pipes, the original pipe is shortened to allow installation of the SERVICE muffler with forward extension.

The N-11 off-road muffler assemblies were the only SERVICE assemblies that were the same in configuration as the PRODUCTION pieces. That's because the N-11 mufflers were only supplied with the attached rear pipe. Consequently, the N-11 system SERVICE and PRODUCTION part numbers were the same.

[Joe L.]

Re: Muffler part number? That has not been asked.....

Rick,

GM part numbers 3943385 & 3943386 are listed for the 1968 Corvette in my 1969 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (effective Oct. 1968). My 1968 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1967) does not list any mufflers for the 1968 Corvette.

As per Chevrolet Parts History:
GM # 3846535 replaced with 3943385 in May 1969.
GM # 3931803 replaced with 3943385 in July 1972.
GM # 3846536 replaced with 3943386 in Feb. 1969.
GM # 3931804 replaced with 3943386 in Sept. 1972.

My 1969 Corvette Corvette Parts Catalog (Oct. 1969) lists GM # 3960601 and 3960602 for the 1969 Corvette.

The 3846535 & 3846536 mufflers first appeared in the 1964 catalog (Oct. 1963).
(1964-1965 w/SHP,FI and 1966-1967)
There are many other 63-67 Corvette muffler part numbers (depending on options) listed in my 1963-1967 catalogs.

Dave

Dave-----


The GM #3931803 and 3931804 are interesting pieces. These were the 1968-only N-11 mufflers. While I once thought that these were supplied with rear exhaust pipe (i.e. like the 64-67 N-11 system), I have recently determined they were not. Instead, they were the same core muffler as the 64-67 N-11 system but with a SERVICE-configuration forward extension with bell joint. In addition, they had the C-3 configuration muffler hanger bracket and without dual brackets.

When they were discontinued in 1972, they were simply replaced with the 2-1/2" standard exhaust SERVICE mufflers.

[Rick B.]

Re: Muffler part number? That has not been asked.....

Joe, boy are you up early. Really appreciate helping me understand, fascinating stuff.

I am really interested in studying these part numbers, could you direct me to where i might be able to locate and purchase various GM part catalogs (C2s) for my library?

As the saying goes build the library before you build the garage.

much appreciation

Rick

[David L.]

Re: Muffler part number? That has not been asked.....

Dave, thanks for responding. For context

I am interested in acquiring/assembling the most accurate "1st generation" 2-1/2" service replacement exhaust system for a 65 BB. Finding an original 2-1/2 system Non N11 is nearly impossible.

Based on your post, I guess I can assume then that 3943385 & 3943386 is a "second generation replacement muffler suitable for my application - And the 3846535 and 536 was the "1st generation" replacement muffler. Correct?


I really find the world of replacement part #'s fascinating and while an enthusiast and not in the business, would love to be able to locate 63-67 GM parts catalogs. Have a recommendation on how to obtain?

Thanks for the help and sharing the knowledge

Rick,

Photo on the left is a page from my 1965 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (May 1965).
Photo on the right is a page from my 1966 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1965).

The 65 Corvette (396) is not listed in my 1965 Chevrolet Parts Catalogs (Oct. 1964 & Jan. 1965) since it did not debut until the middle of the 1965 production year.

Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: Muffler part number? That has not been asked.....

Joe, boy are you up early. Really appreciate helping me understand, fascinating stuff.

I am really interested in studying these part numbers, could you direct me to where i might be able to locate and purchase various GM part catalogs (C2s) for my library?

As the saying goes build the library before you build the garage.

much appreciation

Rick

Rick-------


The old catalogs are getting harder to come by. There are some automotive book dealers like Jim Clemens that may be able to help. I don't have contact info for him, though.

Otherwise, they show up on eBay from time-to-time but they're usually "pricey".