Looking for recommendations on a new exhaust system for my stock 1954 3100. Not looking to upgrade anything, just keeping it simple and original as possible. I need everything, muffler tailpipe and all. I’m most concerned with making sure it fits as the original did. Thanks in advance.
If you have a muffler shop in your town or near you, they can use "cards" to make your original system and it will be less expensive than ordering one. If you do have to resort to buying one online, Waldron's gets good marks from friends of mine ( https://waldronexhaust.com/ ). Last time I asked, the whole system was about $350~400 but I don't know if that included shipping.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
For those who haven't found the exhaust bending "cards" that Jon mentions, I saved them the last time this came up. I don't remember who's thumb that is, but thanks for sharing them.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Not Denny's thumb, but either lemmm117 or his brother. Here is the original thread. Tim Lederman also posted them on his website here.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
There are numbers at the top which tell if the bend is for exhaust or tail pipe. In this case the first (blue cast) is exhaust and the second (pink cast) is tail pipe. If you're using a muffler which has the same diameter inlet and outlet be certain to let the person know that or you'll be buying an adapter and welding/brazing that on. Also (important) if you're using a muffler design different from the stock AD type, measure it carefully, draw a little picture with the measurements and take it to the person operating the machine. The new style muffler may be an oval and have the inlet on one side and exit on the opposite side where the original was round with inlet/outlet being a straight shot through. Your new muffler may also be longer or shorter or if you want things in the cab notably quieter you may want to tie the exhaust and tail pipe together and install the muffler as close to the rear of the pickup as possible (muffler right under the cab can set up odd and irritating noises and vibrations). You may (if you have the right style muffler) run the pipes all the way back and turn the muffler sideways behind the spare tire and have the final exhaust tip exit on the passenger side. You'll need to work with the muffler shop to do this, but the further the muffler is away from the engine, the quieter your exhaust will be and the shorter the tail pipe the quieter it will be.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
Ask around locally. A good muffler shop can make & install your exhaust with their eyes closed. I asked around my town,then went and talked to the owners (Brothers). They actually had a 1951 3100 on the rack when I stopped by. He did my 50' truck (stock )in 2 hours and they put three mufflers on for me to hear before finally welds.. Good luck. Support your Local small business. Todd
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I run a stock truck muffler on my 261 that I bought from Jim Carter, and had a local exhaust shop bend a new header pipe and tail pipe that exits just below the rear bumper on the drivers side. Not too loud but not too quiet either, in my opinion it's a great sound for these old 6's.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I found a local shop that can still bend using the cards. I’m going to run it in Friday with a muffler from Jim Carter. They are telling me that no one does 1-7/8” pipe anymore so they are proposing to use 2” on the tailpipe. Does that sound right? I can’t imagine it will affect the system at all, I’m just curious.
