Aries muffler question

Steve_Mack_CT said:
Utopia, nice SL. We have an 89 560, the "shiny car" in the stable. :-)
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Mine is a '2008 SL550 slightly chipped for a bit more hp.
Last of the naturally aspirated engines in the series.
My Granddaughter's first comment the first time she rode in it was,
"Where's the rear view camera?"
I keep forgetting that teenagers today have no concept of just how old and historic Model T's and A's are. To them a old car is something from the 1990's!
 
Muffler comparisons,
 

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Road test complete, all good. Couple of closing comments. Our A has an aftermarket otwell accessory heater thst I believe is a one piece casting with the exhaust manifold. Not warped, construction of that may have helped over the years. Also, the junky repro tail pipe hanger not an Aries, wanted to set record straight on that.

Ha, utopia, I get your drift, nice ride
 
use WD-40 on the stickers. it will soften the paper and release the adhesive.
P.S. said:
Purchased and installed 2 Aries black steel Model A mufflers, one for each of my Model As. The muffler aligned perfectly on the car with the original (slightly sagging) exhaust manifold. Had to modify the bend (just insert a pipe and pull a little) for the car with the repro exhaust manifold. This procedure is detailed in the instructions.

Yes, the black paint will burn off quickly. However, that isn't the worst of your worries... Getting those dang stickers off is the biggest headache! They leave paper/sticky residue behind, no matter how carefully you remove them. So, you end up having to strip the mufflers down and repaint with your favorite heat-resistant paint anyway.

Both of mine were purchased from Sacramento Vintage Ford in Sacramento and picked up in person. No dents.

The Aries mufflers are very quiet! Never any exhaust leaks.
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For a proper fit, the flange and the manifold must be at the proper angle, clean and straight.

Here is a tool you can make to clean the pitted manifold from a few parts,
 

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Back to the question about the copper gasket...I've not had any luck using them. They seem to accelerate loosening of the joint. When that happens, you can't effectively retighten. In all cases I've had to loosen the joint, take out the gasket and reseal. Big pain.
 
Marshall V. Daut said:
Someday I would like to receive an Aires muffler without at least one dent in it = 7 in a row in the last three years. The box is always undamaged, so I have to believe the mufflers were packed from the manufacturer with the dents already in place. Only the stainless steel muffler I ordered earlier this year was undamaged. I installed a regular Aires muffler yesterday that was ordered on Monday. One dent. SURPRISE!!!
Not to sound complaining, but we also had to place a drive shaft inside the pipe portion that mates to the exhaust manifold and bend this portion forward. The angle was wrong and wouldn't seat properly against the exhaust manifold flange, no matter what angle we titled the muffler. Bending that portion of the pipe forward brought the alignment into place. The car's frame is not sagging, the rear motor mounts are original style with good rubber, and the hand crank fits into the pulley ratchet nut. The exhaust manifold is brand new. So, everything in in alignment - except the Aires pipe.
Don't get me wrong: The Aires muffler is a good product and I'm glad they are being made to replace those worthless cheap-^ssed Midas garbage mufflers that we have been obliged to buy until the late 1990's. But I would like to see a little better quality control from the manufacturer. Perhaps occasional spot checks after packing to find out who is putting dents in the muffler portion? This many dents over the years is not co-incidental. Someone at Aires doesn't like his job so he takes it out on the mufflers. Or at least, the ones I have bought. Anyone else receiving dented Aires mufflers? Or am I being targeted? :)
O.K. Enough grousing. I like the muffler. I just question the quality control in the last couple years.
Marshall
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To suggest someone at the factory does not like his job and intentionally puts dents in mufflers is utter nonsense and borders on defamation ! Wayne
 
Neat tool, Mike V. I used a wirebrush and sandpaper as the manifold was on the car.

Never had luck with the copper gasket either, from attempts to stop the leak in our prior Model A. I have a sleeve on hand but did not use it, assuming it is unnecessary and even a minor hindrance to air flow if I did not need it. I have had luck with those on existing exhaust systems.

Quite a difference between the Aries muffler and the import that was on it in terms of size. Idle sounds nice now. My only concern, if there is one is how close it comes to the brake linkage. Some space there, but not a lot. Anyone else notice this?
 
I received my stainless Aries a few weeks ago and didn't have any issues with fitment or dents. There were a couple of spot welds that stand out on the polished muffler that I assume is for the baffles but no biggie. I also used goof off to remove the stickers and the rear tail pipe clamp was definitely small. I made it work but the bolt was now too short to fit a cotter pin in.
 
Barber31 said:
I received my stainless Aries a few weeks ago and didn't have any issues with fitment or dents. There were a couple of spot welds that stand out on the polished muffler that I assume is for the baffles but no biggie. I also used goof off to remove the stickers and the rear tail pipe clamp was definitely small. I made it work but the bolt was now too short to fit a cotter pin in.
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Careful, the clamp HAS to be a loose fit especially when using the stainless muffler!!
 
glenn in camino said:
I use the sleeve. No gasket, but some muffler sealant on the flange. Works fine.
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I also use the sleeve. It makes it much easier to line things up correctly.

I had a Beaver stainless muffler several years ago that came with a dent. Maybe when Beaver stopped making mufflers this workman went to work for Aries!!
 
I knew I should've asked about this... I installed an Aries exhaust a while ago and it didn't line up well with my old exhaust manifold very well. Manifold was warped and I knew it, was waiting for a new one from Brattons so I blamed it on the manifold. It didn't line up with the new manifold either. And I wasn't impressed with the "quiet" everyone was talking about from these mufflers. So I guess I need to take it off and bend the pipe so it goes straight into the manifold? Seems ridiculous to me that so many are let out from the manufacturer in this condition.
 
I had no problems, just lucky I guess. Joe is a couple of miles from my shop. Nice guy.
If you really feel its a problem on his side I would contact him.
 
I'm thankful for Aries, too. But I am not a fan of their oversized tailpipe clamp with the fuzzy lining. I bought two of those rattling "aftermarket" bad ideas. Both shed their insulation in short order. (I know, fool me twice, shame on me).
 
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