The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts New dual exhaust

I'm going to start this new thread 'cuz it's more related to the big bolts. I fabricated this exhaust system for my 2 ton Low Cab Forward, just ordered elbows and mufflers from Summit, bought straight pipe locally, measure, cut, MIG, hang. MUCH better now, quiet and smooth running.

Nice job, it looks really good!

One small suggestion- - - -it might be a trick of perspective, but that carrier bearing might benefit from a heat shield. One of my truck shop customers out in California 50-something years ago was experiencing repeated carrier bearing support failures (the rubber, not the bearing itself) until I put a sheet metal heat deflector between the muffler and the center bearing.
Jerry

Looks great, nice work

Thanks guys for the thumbs up, I'm happy with my work and with the major improvement. Jerry, I'll certainly take your advice and check the heat around the mid-ship bearing, maybe another drive on the blacktop where I can get her warmed up good and pull off on a gravel road and check the bearing. Both of the mid-ship bearings are sagging due to the rubber deteriorating, I should replace the rubber. DougH, how are you progressing on the '56?

Looking fresh!! And, looks like this is what I need to do to get the exhaust connected on my rig, too. I even have the welder now, so no more excuses!

A local shop quoted me $750 to do the job. I try to do as much on my own as possible, materials cost me less than $300, I didn't try to rush the project and it took 2 days. I wanted to hang the mufflers as far rearward as possible to keep the noise out of the cab. A little layout and fabrication of hanger mounting points so the mufflers are well supported from both ends. Now when I open the hood with the engine running I don't hear any exhaust noise, it's all at the tailpipes.

Gone are the days when you could just roll down to the local muffler shop with your specs on a sheet of paper and buy the pipe from them, then the guy would throw the required ten minutes worth of bending time at 'em for a half rack of beer.

Nowadays no shops can do anything because of "insurance" but they might still let you drop a grand to do it their way. That's if you can even find a shop that will do custom pipe bending work.

Every little project that I do on the '57 just makes me smile. That old girl will run forever and never flash any fault codes. I hope to keep it as long as I can drive and pass it to one of my children if they want it. "You can fix 'er quick with an oily rag, use a nail in starter, I lost the key, she uses a little oil but outside that she's cherry"

Looks Great. Bet it sounds good also. Love the look of the 55-57 Chevy LCFs. I've had three of them in the past. Always wanted a 9000 series Heavy Duty 56, or 57 LCF.

Thanks Spanky, under the hood is very quiet, in the cab I have a little droan at idle but anything above that it's quiet. Basically, all the exhaust sound is at the tailpipes and it's just the normal small block dual exhaust gurgle. I wanted as quiet as possible with vintage appearance of the round mufflers, I'm happy with it. I haven't seen any Task Force LCF's in my area, at the little car shows that I've taken it to it draws attention.

Spanky, clean out your PM box so I can PM you...

78buckshot, if your exhaust tips are clamped and not welded you can play with outlets by rotating them so they are aimed at the ground or out the sided, this will change the way the sound bounces off the ground and back to the underside of the truck. Might cure the low idle vibrations...

Mike B

I tack welded the tips, they might be frozen in by now with the condensation that forms before they are warmed up. I have them pointed out away from the truck, not towards the ground. I thought about making them a little longer but it didn't look too good.