The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Exhausted -- need a whole new exhaust system

Hey Guys,

From the donut back, I need a new exhaust system. Who is your go-to for this? Any particular company or website? I have a 1951 GMC 281-22 with a 235 inline 6.
Thanks and Merry Christmas to y'all!

Muffler shop. See the guy with the short cigar.

Waldrons Exhaust, Michigan

As a more serious answer, are you looking for a kit? Do you want it to be as factory as possible or just functional?

Lots of options at your friendly local muffler shop, that's where I went last summer.

I'm with 78buckshot. I did the Waldron's kit for my 51 3100. Everything fit perfect, came with all the clamps and hangers. Been running it since early 2019....no issues.

Since you have a Chevy engine in your GMC, I wonder if the Chevy exhaust would work. There are "bending cards" for the Chevy.

See this link: http://www.1954advance-design.com/Web%20images/50-55%20exhaust%20systems%20specs/

Muffler shop is a serious answer.

With the Canadian GMCs, a 235 replacement's manifold may have a different angle on the outlet than a 216. However I think you identified your truck a s the US GMC and so the original motor is quite different from a 235. I would suspect that a kit may be a problem in that area.

As far as mufflers I have flow masters on my 235. For sound, they have different ones that you can choose from. For the pipes, any local shop can bend them for you.

An AD truck is about the simplest exhaust system there is. Any decent shop should be able to make it for you for less money than a pre-made kit from Waldron.

If going the muffler shop route. If you plan on the need to move something to get to something if have later projects?
Make sure they use hangers that are easy for you to remove and removable section joint of your choice so you can take it out and put it back in with ease.
Some will just weld it all up and are done. If you are done with your truck and have no plans to need to get to something behind pipes and mufflers then any setup will do. Still in the muffler shop camp they have all the tools and ways of handling that "well if this one thing here was not in the way this kit will work" issues

I agree withe past 2 posts. I pieced mine together using Walker exhaust parts.
From flange to 2 ft section of 2in.exhaust pipe. Fitted it together with pumpkin bend.... had it welded.
That rusted section was pipe I had that was pre-bent and ALOT thicker.
Walker Exhaust 52010 Exhaust Pipe
Walker Exhaust 41724 Exhaust Pipe flange
Walker Exhaust 35600 Exhaust Bracket

A "kit" probably isn't available for his 1.5 ton truck. Find the guy with the short cigar as mentioned way above.

That is best . I forgot , I used a Patriot Exhaust | #91013106
Smithys Glasspack Muffler, 22 Inch Body, 2 Inch Inlet/Outlet

I didn't realize the truck in question is a 1-1/2 ton, in that case I retract my recommendation of Waldrons. I called them for a system for my '57 LCF, 283 V8, they could not offer a ready made set of pipes. I'm in the process of building my own dual system, waiting on some parts now.

Cute. Thanks, but I live in RURAL New Mexico. Nearest muffler shop is probably 250 miles give or take a few....

Thanks for the Walker pipe tip! I'll go that route!!! And, the 281-22 is a 1 1/4 ton, not a 1 1/2 ton.

Yes.

Thanks, @kades51, I will look into this kit for sure!

Thanks, @truckernix for the heads-up.

I appreciate all the input. I wish I lived closer to the muffler shop, but this is up to me to do.

Thank you!