I'm at the point that I want to install an exhaust on my truck before I get too much of the body installed. It's a 49 AD 3100 with a stock 216. The original exhaust was almost non existent so it was scrapped. Looking back I wish I would have kept some pieces. I read that the stock size off the manifold is 1 7/8". Does anyone know where I can get the initial 2 bolt flange to start building off the manifold? Will a modified 2" flange fit the original 1 7/8" manifold? I can't seem to find much online other than a full system on Chevs of the 40s.
Don't want to hijack the thread, but I am wondering if anyone has any information on the different bends, lengths, etc. for a '50 3100 tailpipe. I understand that back in the day, muffler shops had "bend cards" detailing all the info they needed to form the pipes. The tailpipe on my truck has long ago disappeared, so I have no idea of what bends, etc. are needed. I went to my local muffler shop and asked about the "bend cards" and they looked at me like I had grown two heads. I was going to order from Chev of the '40s, until I found that the shipping was going to be nearly twice as much as the pipe. Any help/suggestions appreciated.
I have a friend with a muffler shop and a fantastic, 1985 mandrel pipe bender. He's made exhaust systems for several of my friends with 50s and 60s Cadillacs. I'll ask him if his machine can do a '50 Chevy truck and if the data on the bends can be printed out.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
Here's the bend cards that Stovebolter Uncle Brad posted here a few years ago. These are for 1/2 ton trucks.
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.
Otto, if you can get the info and post it here, that sure would help. klhansen, thanks for posting the bend cards. Between the two of you, maybe I will have enough info to get the tailpipe somewhat oriented correctly. The 20-something youngster at the muffler shop probably has never bent something without the old pipe to go by. When I told him I was working on a '50 model, he could not believe anything that old was still running.
Jim, the moral of the story is you have to track down the oldest guy in the shop. Leave the kids to the computer stuff. Trouble is, the old guys are getting scarce. You're very welcome. We bolters have to stick together. Good luck with your exhaust.
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.
klhansen Haven't heard of a bend card in 40 years,most just bend till it will go in there !! Don't worry about rattles and setting the bed wood on fire !!
My buddy said his catalog with diagrams only goes back to 1960.
He's going to look through his bend cards when he's there tomorrow if he has time. His machine is not computerized.
Last edited by Otto Skorzeny; 10/31/20227:39 PM.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)