1969 Sidepipe Covers

[Bob J.]

All '69 side exhaust covers I have seen have two countersunk holes in the bottom/rear of the center chromed/finned piece that are used to connect to a Z-metal bracket that then attaches to the frame. I have a set of covers that the seller assured me are NOS factory pieces, but the covers do not have the countersunk holes. What they do have is a piece of heavy gauge shaped metal that is rivited to the insulation, located near the end of the center cover piece. It appears that its purpose is to act as a spacer to keep the cover off of the exhaust pipe. Has anyone seen covers like this? Was there ever a factory change made in the attachment of the rear of the covers? The quality of the covers is excellent and the seller has had them for about 18 years. Before I return them, I thought I would see if anyone has an idea what they are.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

There are first and second design covers, and I believe you are detailing the difference in the two designs. Wait for others to confirm that and maybe we have identified a change point -- if not this would be an opportunity to refine that detail.

[Mark D.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

Seems like there may have been three designs but I would have to refresh my memory on that. The 'Z' bracket was the final design and the date of that change should be noted in the AIM. Are your pipes original carbon steel and do they have a small welded tab with holes toward the rear?

Mark

[Bob J.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

The covers came as a complete set-up including carbon steel pipes with the small welded tab. My car is a December 69 build which had the Z bar attachment.

[Bob J.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

I should have mentioned - the cover tab does not line up with the welded on tab on the pipe.

Bob

[Steve M.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

I have an October 69 350/350 with sidepipes. On the driver side the exhaust has a carbon steel tab on the exhaust with a hole in it and the cover is attached with the Z bar attachment. The passenger side has the carbon steel tab and the cover has a tab that is 'pop riveted' together. There is a small hole in the frame where the Z bar would be attached that does not look like it has been used.

The car is in really good shape and I plan to start restoring the car. Should I just restore it 'as is' or 'fix' the passenger side to make it match the driver side?

Any comments or thought appreciated.

Steve

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

Maybe you should start a separate thread with a poll.

I vote "as is." Take plenty of before pictures to show the judges what you started with and why you did what you did.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

All '69 side exhaust covers I have seen have two countersunk holes in the bottom/rear of the center chromed/finned piece that are used to connect to a Z-metal bracket that then attaches to the frame.

To add to the discussion, I've seen and owned a couple of 69 side exhaust center sections that had 2 holes on each end. These in my opinion were service replacement items, as they could be flipped/turned and used on either side of the car.

The originals I've seen are "side specific", i.e. they have the 2 holes on only one end, thus making them useable on only one side of the car.

Chuck

[Steve M.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

Thanks for the reply. In everything else on the car, I have chosen to keep it as is original. This is the only item that I have found that was not expected. I will just put it back togethor as is and see what happens. It's kinda strange to have 2 different sides but I am sure stranger things have happened.
Thanks Again

[Alan S.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

Hi,
I have a set of sb pipes and covers that I bought in January of 1971.
They have the 2 holes in just one end of the center section as Chuck mentions, and the small welded tab on the rear of the muffler, with just one hole drilled in it, that Mark described.
Regards,
Alan

[Bob J.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

I thought I would bring this back up to the top and see if anyone else has an opinion on whether or not the side pipe cover, with the riveted rear tab as shown in the picture I posted, is in fact an early design one. I will be returning the covers to the seller since my car is a late one, but would like to let him know what they are.

Thanks,
Bob

[Don W.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

I note above that there are Oct and Dec '69 cars reporting side pipes. I thought the EPA had major issues with '69 side pipe noise and stopped the release of all side pipe cars in early '69 and all others were factory corrected to regular exhaust prior to sale...Don

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

I note above that there are Oct and Dec '69 cars reporting side pipes. I thought the EPA had major issues with '69 side pipe noise and stopped the release of all side pipe cars in early '69 and all others were factory corrected to regular exhaust prior to sale...Don

I will have to look at my paperwork from my 1969 with side mounted exhaust to determine the date I took delivery, but it was not a particularly early car. I believe you have been misinformed. I don't recall any such issues in 1969. There were noise issues with the undercar chambered exhaust on Camaros, but not to my recollection Corvettes.

[John H.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

I thought the EPA had major issues with '69 side pipe noise and stopped the release of all side pipe cars in early '69 and all others were factory corrected to regular exhaust prior to sale...Don

Don -

The EPA wasn't involved with exhaust noise - only emissions. I think GM's negative experience with massive customer complaints as a result of excessive noise tickets for owners of Camaros and Chevelles with chambered exhaust systems simply brought an end to any further development of those systems. There was no re-fit or recall of '69 Corvettes with side exhaust.

[Don W.]

Re: 1969 Sidepipe Covers

OK, I thought I had read it somewhere on the forums when I was changing my side exhaust several years ago; but, I can't find any info on search or google. Also, you cannot use "EPA" as a search ter