Exhaust System - 64 Fuelie

[Larry M.]

I pulled the rear pipes and mufflers off yesterday. I'd like to belivey they are original but not likely. A sleve extends from the back of the muffler over the tailpipe about 3/8 to 1/2 inch and welded. Makes be beliveve replacement mufflers had extensions cut off and then welded to the original pipes, but can anyone clear me up on this? Stated differently, for originals were the pipes welded directly into the end cap??

Secondly, I've read tons of prior posts and what seems to come out is to use Corvette Central aluminized - best fit and originality (not using carbon steel) for a welded system. Before I call them I'd like to know if original mufflers had any embossings (not stencils or stamps which I could add) and, if so, does anyone supply systems with these?

I've considered SS but Corvette Central has "advise" in their catalog that stainless radiates significant heat and also expands significantly (up to 1.5 inch in length). Anyone have experience with this?

This car is for me. I don't worry about points and judging but over time I will continue to strive for originality. I haven't done much with it for several years but I'm getting back into it. This is a 64 fuelie with 38,500 original miles, non radio, documented by the original title, window sticker, BOS, owners packet (card, pin, patch), many registration renewals with mileage, even the original temporay 5-day tag issued by VV Cooke Chevy in Louisville, KY, and much more. Has original J65 metallic brake shoes and drums and "original" dealer installed KOs with 6.70X15 Michelin X radials.

Thanks for any insights.

[Joe L.]

Re: Exhaust System - 64 Fuelie

[QUOTE=Larry Meyer (37196);647986]I pulled the rear pipes and mufflers off yesterday. I'd like to belivey they are original but not likely. A sleve extends from the back of the muffler over the tailpipe about 3/8 to 1/2 inch and welded. Makes be beliveve replacement mufflers had extensions cut off and then welded to the original pipes, but can anyone clear me up on this? Stated differently, for originals were the pipes welded directly into the end cap?? [QUOTE}

Yes

Secondly, I've read tons of prior posts and what seems to come out is to use Corvette Central aluminized - best fit and originality (not using carbon steel) for a welded system. Before I call them I'd like to know if original mufflers had any embossings (not stencils or stamps which I could add) and, if so, does anyone supply systems with these?

Original mufflers often have a "W" embossment. However, there's no way you could add this (or any other) embossment. The embossments were RAISED, not indented.

I've considered SS but Corvette Central has "advise" in their catalog that stainless radiates significant heat and also expands significantly (up to 1.5 inch in length). Anyone have experience with this?

No way will stainless steel systems "grow" by 1-1/2". I once computed the expansion for carbon steel versus stainless steel and found the expansion difference for the length of a typical Corvette system is negligible. I've used stainless for years with no heat problems. However, the CC aluminized system is EXCELLENT.

This car is for me. I don't worry about points and judging but over time I will continue to strive for originality. I haven't done much with it for several years but I'm getting back into it. This is a 64 fuelie with 38,500 original miles, non radio, documented by the original title, window sticker, BOS, owners packet (card, pin, patch), many registration renewals with mileage, even the original temporay 5-day tag issued by VV Cooke Chevy in Louisville, KY, and much more. Has original J65 metallic brake shoes and drums and "original" dealer installed KOs with 6.70X15 Michelin X radials.

[Wayne C.]

Re: Exhaust System - 64 Fuelie

i had a 57 fuelie with stainless exhaust. when cold, the tail pipes aligned perfectly with the ends of the bumpers. when hot, i measured their growth at 1 to 1 and 1/2 inches past the bumper ends. i wowed more than one friend who didn't believed it would happen. wayne

[John H.]

Re: Exhaust System - 64 Fuelie

i had a 57 fuelie with stainless exhaust. when cold, the tail pipes aligned perfectly with the ends of the bumpers. when hot, i measured their growth at 1 to 1 and 1/2 inches past the bumper ends. i wowed more than one friend who didn't believed it would happen. wayne

Wayne -

I had complete Zierden stainless systems on both of my 57's (17 years ago), and they "grew" less than 3/8" from cold to full hot.

[Joe R.]

Re: Exhaust System - 64 Fuelie

The linear expansion constant of SS and alumized steel is within .000001 of each other. There is no way the system can grow out the end of the exhaust panels by 1 to 1.5 inch. What happens is that the bends are not uniform and the pipe is attempting to unbend and straighten out again. In other words it is trying to normalize itself to it's original shape. The exhaust system might grow by 1 to 2 inches it it was 10 miles long.

JR

[Wayne C.]

Re: Exhaust System - 64 Fuelie

joe, maybe the growth that i saw and measured was from the pipes trying to 'UNBEND" as you suggested. i'm no expert on metal expansion, but i know what i saw. i wish i had taken pictures! wayne

[Alan D.]

Re: Exhaust System - 64 Fuelie

Larry, If replacing entire system (which it sounds like) consider going to N11 type exhaust - they sound so nice. The repo ones have become very close to oringinals so if you do show the car in the future only minor (if any) points will be lost.
If you go that route check out some old posts here first.

[Larry M.]

Re: Exhaust System - 64 Fuelie

I bought exhausts yesterday, Corvette Central, aluminized mufflers with carbon steel pipes (N-11 which is not on the window sticker but you can't see it...just hear it). I don't understand the issue with carbon steel pipes for a car that is not driven high miles and, in my case, is not in Chicago or Detroit. I'm pretty sure the pipes I have are the originals and, if I wasn't focused on the original look (the weld joint of tailpipe to muffler), could have had a new set of mufflers welded to them and kept on going, and most of the miles on the car were in Indiana so I think they've held up pretty well. I actually want them to rust quickly and get to looking like they've been there awhile. When I got the car it had incorrect hangers on the back. I bought repros and artificially rusted them to get them in character with the car.

[Joe L.]

Re: Exhaust System - 64 Fuelie

I bought exhausts yesterday, Corvette Central, aluminized mufflers with carbon steel pipes (N-11 which is not on the window sticker but you can't see it...just hear it). I don't understand the issue with carbon steel pipes for a car that is not driven high miles and, in my case, is not in Chicago or Detroit. I'm pretty sure the pipes I have are the originals and, if I wasn't focused on the original look (the weld joint of tailpipe to muffler), could have had a new set of mufflers welded to them and kept on going, and most of the miles on the car were in Indiana so I think they've held up pretty well. I actually want them to rust quickly and get to looking like they've been there awhile. When I got the car it had incorrect hangers on the back. I bought repros and artificially rusted them to get them in character with the car.

Larry-----


Here's the thing for me regarding carbon steel: I HATE rust! With carbon steel pipes, the pipes WILL rust, sooner or later. Most mufflers had an aluminized or galvanized shell so they more-or-less resist rusting.

[Tom P.]

Re: Exhaust System - 64 Fuelie

Well, obviously, we have various experiences with stainless steel exhaust systems.
Here is my one and only---------------and last experience with a complete stainless system.
MANY years ago, I had a FULL stainless system (from Zierden) on the 56. At the time, the engine was a 350 with 2 1/2in exhaust manifolds. the front pipes were 1962 style with 2 1/2in at the front which immediately reduced down to 2in. The remainder of the system was 56-57 style. When cold, the pipe at the rear bezel was about 1/8 to 1/4in out. When thoroughly heated up, it would often stick out about 1in.
I finally got rid of the entire system because it was a constant challenge to get the hangers/clamps adjusted to prevent rattles (because of expansion).
My entire system on the 56 is now 2 1/2in aluminized. It took 2-3 efforts at adjustment of the pipes (they are REAL close through the holes in the X member) to keep them from rattling. They're fine now. No more stainless for me.