small block exhaust system differences 69-72 and 73 - NCRS Discussion Boards

small block exhaust system differences 69-72 and 73

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  • Joseph H.
    Very Frequent User
    • December 11, 2007
    • 159

    small block exhaust system differences 69-72 and 73

    At the point of acquiring a 2" exhaust system for my 69' L46. I have read many posts here regarding the SS, Aluminized, Carbon steel etc. I understand I have several choices of vendors and none are completely accurate, so I started searching for NOS or original. I have a line on a complete 2" original exhaust system from a 73' small block. All the vendor catalogs show 68/69 thru 72 systems and then list 73 seperately. I assume the 73 system is different than what is correct for a 69 or is it?

    Thanks for the help, would like to understand if it is the same or not, if not what are the differences?

    Regards,
    Joe
  • Joe L.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • February 1, 1988
    • 43221

    #2
    Re: small block exhaust system differences 69-72 and 73

    Originally posted by Joseph Hudec (48281)
    At the point of acquiring a 2" exhaust system for my 69' L46. I have read many posts here regarding the SS, Aluminized, Carbon steel etc. I understand I have several choices of vendors and none are completely accurate, so I started searching for NOS or original. I have a line on a complete 2" original exhaust system from a 73' small block. All the vendor catalogs show 68/69 thru 72 systems and then list 73 seperately. I assume the 73 system is different than what is correct for a 69 or is it?

    Thanks for the help, would like to understand if it is the same or not, if not what are the differences?

    Regards,
    Joe

    Joe------


    The exhaust pipes, front and rear, are essentially identical. In fact, the 1973 pipes became SERVICE for 69-72. There may be nuance differences, though. If so, I don't know what they are.

    The big difference in the 69-72 and 73 exhaust system involves the mufflers. The 73 mufflers are completely different than 69-72. Of course, the 1973 exhaust tips are also different from 1969 (but similar to the 70-72).
    In Appreciation of John Hinckley

    Comment

    • Terry M.
      Beyond Control Poster
      • September 30, 1980
      • 15601

      #3
      Re: small block exhaust system differences 69-72 and 73

      Not only are the 1973 mufflers different shape than 1970-72 I think the outlet pipe is different, or positioned differently. Of course that would still make the muffler different -- just in more ways. If one looks at the exhaust extension (commonly called exhaust tips) the 1973 version has the hole in the middle (from side to side) of the extension opening. While the 1970-72 opening is off to one side of the extension. This would make me think the pipe exiting the 1973 muffler does so in a different location than the 1970-72 muffler. I believe the 1973 exhaust system takes a different rear hanger than 1970-72 as well. OEM 1970-72 mufflers have a locating tab spot welded to the top of the pipe that slides into the extension. 1968-69 mufflers do not have/need this tab. I can not speak to 1973 regarding the tab.
      Terry

      Comment

      • Joe L.
        Beyond Control Poster
        • February 1, 1988
        • 43221

        #4
        Re: small block exhaust system differences 69-72 and 73

        Originally posted by Terry McManmon (3966)
        Not only are the 1973 mufflers different shape than 1970-72 I think the outlet pipe is different, or positioned differently. Of course that would still make the muffler different -- just in more ways. If one looks at the exhaust extension (commonly called exhaust tips) the 1973 version has the hole in the middle (from side to side) of the extension opening. While the 1970-72 opening is off to one side of the extension. This would make me think the pipe exiting the 1973 muffler does so in a different location than the 1970-72 muffler. I believe the 1973 exhaust system takes a different rear hanger than 1970-72 as well. OEM 1970-72 mufflers have a locating tab spot welded to the top of the pipe that slides into the extension. 1968-69 mufflers do not have/need this tab. I can not speak to 1973 regarding the tab.
        Terry-----


        Yes, the 73 muffler hangers are different than 68-72. They are a one-year-only piece. However, the reason they are different than 68-72 is that the mufflers are different.

        And, yes, 68-69 did not have the exhaust extension indexing tab. However, they needed the tab; they just didn't have it.
        In Appreciation of John Hinckley

        Comment

        • Joseph H.
          Very Frequent User
          • December 11, 2007
          • 159

          #5
          Re: small block exhaust system differences 69-72 and 73

          Thanks for all the info, so it looks as if I find an NOS or nice original, it needs to be from the 68/69 vintage, unless the only difference on the 70-72 is the locating tab for the exhaust tip.
          Joe

          Comment

          • Joe L.
            Beyond Control Poster
            • February 1, 1988
            • 43221

            #6
            Re: small block exhaust system differences 69-72 and 73

            Originally posted by Joseph Hudec (48281)
            Thanks for all the info, so it looks as if I find an NOS or nice original, it needs to be from the 68/69 vintage, unless the only difference on the 70-72 is the locating tab for the exhaust tip.
            Joe
            Joe-----


            If you're obtaining it for a 1969 small block, then any 1968 is out. ALL 1968 Corvettes used 2-1/2" exhaust systems; NO 1969 Corvettes used 2-1/2" exhaust systems. 1970-72 2" systems are the same as 1969 2" systems except for the extension indexing tab (which is easily removed).
            In Appreciation of John Hinckley

            Comment

            • Joseph H.
              Very Frequent User
              • December 11, 2007
              • 159

              #7
              Re: small block exhaust system differences 69-72 and 73

              Thanks, yes for my 69'............

              Comment

              • Dave S.
                Extremely Frequent Poster
                • August 31, 1992
                • 2925

                #8
                Re: small block exhaust system differences 69-72 and 73

                Originally posted by Joseph Hudec (48281)
                Thanks, yes for my 69'............
                From what I can see in my parts book the header pipes and tailpipes are the same for 69 and 73. The tailpipes for a 69 and 73 w/ a 4 speed should be #3960603 (LH) and #3960604 (RH). As mentioned the mufflers and exhaust tips are very different and unique to 73.

                Comment

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