1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

[Al E.]

Re: 1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

Richard,

I bought this kit myself from CC about 8 months ago. In the beginning I had some issues.. I pulled my hair out ( the last 3 strands) , but when I look at the diagram from the online catalog, it was all in the twist and turns of the pipes.

I had to:

1. Remove the manifolds
2. Remove the hangers
3. Removed the rear bumpers (not necessary)

When I crawled under the car with a jack stand I was able to cut away the old rusted pipes and install the new ones in place.
I had to rotate the pipes every now and then to make sure I had the proper length coming out of the rear bumpers holes. Being the rear was just the bumper holes I could make sure they were centered and even before I replaced the bumpers. and avoid nicking my chrome on the bumpers. . Again the BUMPERS DID NOT HAVE TO COME OFF. It was my choice to make sure I had enough pipes coming out and it was even and centered on both side and avoid nicking the chrome on the bumpers.. Then I installed new hangers in the same spots as before.
When it was complete they were a perfect for my 1960 and I have no leaking issues, no rattling, and they are very centered and even on both bumpers.

I hope that helps.

Al

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

Pretty typical with most of the exhaust systems I have bought over the years. I finally started taking the cars to the muffler shop and having them help me tweak the systems to fit. Call the vendors and it was always my fault.

Have not had that problem with a Gardner set (yet)

I've been eyeing up using a Gardners system on my C3 when I do the body off..................... Everything I have heard about their systems, at least for the chrome bumper C3's, has been positive.

Tom

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

Success....... I got it done today. Thanks for the suggestions. A few of everyone's ideas helped. However, I had to modify a few things to make it work. All in all I'm not happy with this system. Took way too long to get it installed. Total was 7 hours!

This is what I had to do to make it fit..........

Drivers Side. The problem here was the muffler hitting the shock absorber......
I decided not to cut anything from the muffler front pipe. I removed the muffler and saw that the welded pipe wasn't straight.(1st photo) I suspect it was built wrong. There was no evidence of shipping damage.

I had to move the X-member hanger rubber attach bolt to the inside hole of the hanger frame bracket. (2nd photo) Not per the AIM but it now works better. This brought the hanger closer to the inside of the frame, which when clamped pulled the pipes inward. I loosened the engine pipe at the manifold and reassembled everything. Using wooden shims in the frame holes to keep the pipes centered helped.

After repeated tries and tightening it fit better. I used an additional pipe clamp at the center engine to muffler pipe joint. The muffler is now about 1/2" from the rear shock.

Pass Side. Pipes not centered in frame holes, hitting at the rear hole.

I removed the muffler and X-member hanger. Since I had to move the pipes away from the outside of the frame holes, I had to drill a new hole in the rubber cushion hanger so it would bring the clamp closer to the center of the frame. (3rd photo) The clamp was not lining up with the joint, but I was able to get it in a position to keep the pipes away from the frame holes.

After loosening the entire system and using shims to hold it in place, I was able to get it properly lined up. I used an additional pipe clamp at the center engine to muffler pipe joint. (4th photo) The end of the muffler is about 3/4" from the rear shock.

Rich

[Dan D.]

Re: 1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

The winter 2009 Restorer magazine has an excellent article on replacing a 1960 exhaust using a CC system. All V8 C1s are very similar. -Dan-

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

Dan, Thanks for the info. I'll have to find that article.

One thing I keep re-hashing in my head after getting this task done, is the CC hanger kit. This is a very expensive kit, lists for around $125.

It does not make sense that I had to modify the rubber cushion locations where they attached to the CC "L" brackets. Maybe the clamp brackets are too long, or the "L" brackets are not right. In order for the pipes to be somewhat centered in the frame holes, there was no way the "standard" CC hanger would allow the pipes to fit without hitting the edges of the frame holes. The other idea I had was to drill new holes in the frame for the "L" brackets to help offset the position. I dropped that idea.

Below is a AIM scan of the center hanger. I wish I had originals to compare to the CC hanger.

[Scott K.]

Re: 1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

Interesting info at the end of this page about their C2 system....

http://www.corvettecentralexhaust.co...ck_systems.php

I copied the text here in case the link breaks in the future.

63-65 Exhaust Bend


We received our "original sample" in the mid 1980's from a customer's Hi-Performance 1964 Corvette. We never questioned its originality, due to the condition of the part in relation to the car.
Over the years, we had a few complaints regarding the fit on the left side of our systems, but we double-checked our fixtures and bending procedures and could never pinpoint a real problem. In late 2007, a customer contacted us after receiving a new system for his 65. He claimed that the left header didn't fit right because it didn't match his original pipe. The following week, we had his original pipes in our shop. We could actually make out the original part number and there was one small bend at the end of the pipes which changed the whole attitude of the secondary pipe. We changed our bending program to match the new sample.

We still solicit input from customers who have original exhaust components to compare to our own. We strive to make the most correct systems possible. As with any OEM system, the slightest tweak in one location will cause a position shift elsewhere in the system. We also encourage anyone experiencing difficulties to contact our Product Assistance specialists (800-345-4122). We can typically walk a customer through a tricky part of an install, or help them identify potential issues.

[Richard H.]

Re: 1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

I found this thread in preparation for installing a new system in my 1958. I wanted to provide some additional feedback for the researcher in the future. I have been restoring the '58 for a number of years. It did not have any pipes or clamps. The installation went relatively smoothly; everything fit nicely. I started from the rear pipe and worked my way forward. The only area requiring some modification was the clamp securing the exhaust pipe to the muffler. I had purchased the stainless steel set. The clamp for the area in question was a tad too short. I had to use the clamps that came with the exhaust pipes. Another issue, the diameter of the joint tended to stretch the upper part of the clamp, which made it a challenge to fit in the bottom female section. I had to file the holes to make them wider to accommodate the male part of the clamp. Hope this helps others. Richard

[Pete P.]

Re: 1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

Rich,
I can sympathize with you. I went through the same, exhaustive (no pun intended) fit-up of a CC exhaust system on my 1960 a few years ago. I had the most problem with the passenger side; first hitting the frame near the starter, then, where the pipe passes through the 'X' member holes. I never had to cut any of the pipes. But, in desperation, I ended up borrowing an electrician's conduit bender to "tweak" the pipes. I also had a problem with the 'X' member hangers. After about a dozen trips from under the car on my back, I got both sides to fit without banging or rattling against the frame. Remember, that the pipes will "grow" a bit when they get hot, so keep that in mind. You may have to still adjust things.

Good Luck.
Pete

[Tom A.]

Re: 1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

I've been using nothing but Gardner's. I install a lot of they're exhaust. Average install time 45 min. on a lift. They have a first class system. Yes they cost a little more but huge labor savings and never an issue with fit or clearance. They are hard to beat.

[Scott K.]

Re: 1959 Exhaust System - Corvette Central - Problems Anyone?

Just wanted to say thank you for all of the feedback you have provided on our exhaust systems. We review comments and inquiries such as these on a weekly basis. We are constantly reviewing, and, when applicable, making improvements our systems from our own research and verified feedback from our customers.