Muffler Replacement Job

U

ursus

Well-known member
Is it possible to remove/replace the "A" muffler without needing to remove/replace the frame clamp? It looks like I might be able to swivel it in/out from the front after removing the manifold clamp. Thanks!
 
Are you asking because you want to use the tailpipe clamp to support the tailpipe during the operation, or because something is preventing you from removing it?
 
Two things: (1) support the muffler in its correct frame side position while it is being mated up to the manifold, and (2) avoid having to remove a clamp that is anchored with a liberal slathering of some kind of asphaltic undercoating. I know, yuck, but it came with the car and I've already fought this encrustation at other sites on the underside.
 
You might be able to make it work, but only if the clamp is loosely around the pipe. A lot of those clamps are set too tight to allow the tailpipe to twist and slide.
 
The muffler assembly is one piece from manifold to exhaust tip. If you are fighting rust and crud just cut the bolt and replace the clamp & bolt too.
 
Take the clamp off. The aggravation you will go through trying to slide the muffler assembly out of the clamp will be equal or greater than taking the gooked-up clamp off. The clamp is reproduced, so cut its mounting nut off and leave the clamp on the pipe.
 
I agree with Bob B - take the clamp off and replace it. There were some aftermarket mufflers (sold by Midas and others) that had the pipes smaller than original, so you may not be able to get your new pipe through the old clamp anyhow. I sincerely doubt that you’d be able to twist either the old or new pipe enough to get it through the clamp, especially if you are doing this without a lift.

I recently put a new Aries muffler on. When I went down and took a look after a couple of hundred miles I could see that the pipe moved around 3/4” back and forth in the clamp with heat expansion, so you want to make sure you don’t tighten the clamp too much. Only enough to get the cotter pin in. I used the insulated clamp supplied by Aries and sold by most vendors. (Full disclosure - Joe Davis, owner of Aries, is a member of our club and advertises in our newsletter, but he isn’t paying me - he just makes a great product. We need to support our specialty manufacturers or pretty soon they won’t be there any more. Think Stipe Manufacturing…)
 
Y-Blockhead said:
Jay-Jay, Is your Aries Stainless? I noticed my Stainless pipe "grows" quite a bit when it heats up. I found that the insulation in the clamp does not last very long. I replaced it with a few wraps of header wrap. https://www.amazon.com/SunplusTrade...Stainless/dp/B01KVYH66U/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Working good so far.
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No, I have old-fashioned carbon steel. Figured I couldn’t see it, why spend the additional $$$. Quite a stink as the paint burned off, and it left a white ash that came off easily. I wrapped the down tube in muffler insulation but from IR thermometer readings I'm not sure that did much good. Eventually I’ll try some additional layers.
 
I've read complaints of the stainless muffler cracking at the tailpipe. It appears they were all clamped securely which restricted movement. Make sure you leave room for expansion.
 
JayJay said:
No, I have old-fashioned carbon steel. Figured I couldn’t see it, why spend the additional $$$.
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Yea, I bought the S/S one because I thought it would last longer. After I installed it I didn't like shine so I dulled it with a Scotch Brite.

No issues with cracking after 5 years.
 
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