The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop '51 216 exhaust

Where is the best place to order a complete exhaust for my '51 3/4 ton...all pipes and muffler, hangers etc. I don't see any pipes available at LMC or Carter.
Thanks,
Bob

I don't know if there is anyplace to order a complete system. Most towns have at least one custom bender. Just go to the local farm store & buy a tractor muffler then have a local exhaust bender make your system. It's a super simple system if you're wanting to remain basically stock. It won't cost much.

Thanks...I should have kept the old system when I stripped the truck down to the frame so the local guy could copy it.
Thanks,
Bob

Kanter's catalog says they sell a system. You prolly otta call them to make sure.

Hi ya Bob J, so ya must have gotten the engine back together if your ready for the exhaust. Bob R from Manhatten aka; brjr, just went through this a few months back. He was talking about the bend that the muffler shops make for the head pipe. The bending die that they use is a standard radius which gives you a long straight drop and a sharp bend where it kicks back. The original pipe had a large radius sweeping bend starting about a foot below the manifold. I'd ask Kanter about the head pipe if originality makes a difference but their price looks about right. I priced a new system at The Exhaust Works in Montgonery last summer both ways, steel and SS and they quoted more than what Kanter wants. I think Kanter is the only one that stocks exhaust systems any more.
I would agree with Tiny on the muffler. I was just up to F&F in Sycamore a couple of weeks ago looking at the tractor mufflers.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I just bought a complete system for my 50 1/2 with a 216 from Chevs of the 40'S. Nice stuff,shipped on time for about $320.00. That was less than the local muff shop had for a guess-ta-mation.

I had my COE done a few months back and it cost about $110 and change at my local auto place. He did it in aluminum pipe. I was helping out and I noticed how many times he had to swing the tubing cutter around to cut the pipe. He said aluminum takes about 30 spins while steel only take a few. I thought that was odd since aluminum has a lower density then steel. My system was less then 10' so that may have made a difference in the cost.

Jeff

Aluminum Jeff? You sure bout that? Must be something new, that's the first time that I've heard of aluminum for an exhaust system. Steel, Aluminized Steel, Stainless Steel yes. Not even on racecars have I ever seen Aluminum. The hot exhaust gasses are quite corrosive. Some time ago I had a Heliarc job that I would do in the evening at home for extra money. It was welding 321 SS exhaust headers that an engine testing facility supplied me with. They would burn up a set every few weeks running engines at speed 24/7.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I'm an Electrician and I've heard of guys using Everything from Aluminum IMT to Galvanized EMT on their cars. I can't say from experience how well it works, but a Triple Nickel does do a good job bending pipe.

Aluminum doesn't hold up well when exposed to exhaust gas. There is chemical activity that causes aluminum to become brittle and break with modest flexing or vibration. I don't know the chemistry of the reaction, but it seems only to take a few months, and I think that reaction is the main reason exhaust gas analyzers don't use aluminum probes. Aluminum cladding on the exterior of a pipe seems all right, but aluminum tubing I don't think is a good idea. The only aluminum part in an exhaust system that I can think of was the tip of the tail pipes used on Chevrolet passenger cars in the early/mid 1950s. The last foot or so of the tail pipe was aluminum- said to be used because it looked nice, even though the pipe ahead of it might be completely rusted away. I don't know how the tip was attached- it appeared to be welded, based on the appearance of new pipes at the time- and that was a long time ago... That idea didn't last long- the 1955 Chevrolet passenger cars has steel tail pipes.

Harvester

Maybe your right Denny. I just remember giving him a hard time while he was cutting the pipe with a tubing cutter and that he was taking to darn long. He said that steel only takes about a turn or 2 to cut through while the aluminum is a pain in the butt. Maybe I misunderstood?

The stuff he uses is good stout material. He did a great job bending and welding it up for me. I do think the material is a good deal thicker then the steel Ive seen but then again, Ive never bought a new set of pipes either.

Jeff

Say there freak, can you tell us what the bend looked like in the head pipe from Chevs of the 40's??? Better yet, if ya could post a picture that would answer the question more better, bestest, like right now.
Thanks
Denny G

Thanks for the help guys! I got on the Chevs of the 40's website and they seem to have what I need. I couldn't get on Kanter but will call them on Monday.
Denny...yes, I got the engine back but I still have to put it together...new crank bearings, cam, pistons were done 30 over and I got new valves, lifters, keepers and sleeves too. The crack in the head was repaired also. i just got done with the brakes this weekend. I'm still shooting for an early summer test drive!...I hope the brakes work!

If ya took your time and didn't take any short cuts those brakes should be just fine. I still want to get together for a few minuets and show ya how the truck is gonna feel when your done with it. Now that the weather is clearing up we gotta meet up some where and have a cup of coffee on day.
Ya never know, after you get bounced around in an original ya just might change your mind and decide to put in one of those Mustang front ends, coil over rear axles and about 20yards of Dynamat in the old gal.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny,
I had the local muffler shop bend up a head pipe from the old one on my 4t6 a couple weeks ago. Cost me $45 bucks. Old and new here. Maybe help I don't know
Dan

Thanks Dan, that's what I have been finding. the bend is made with a standard die. The original has a larger radius just like it is on my '50.
Thanks for the picture. 45 buck, ya can't go wrong with that. I doubt if the shops around here would even sell me a piece of straight pipe for that little.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Sorry ! Camera on the blink( must be Ford built). The bends looks O.K. They were bent on a old school bender. Not mandrel bend. Should be able to have pics in a couple of days.

Denny,
Yes, let's get together soon as I would love to see your truck. A friend has a '53 that runs so I know what to expect from my '51. The '53 is his sons...he's in Bagdad right now taking care of a few bad guys over there but gets out this summer and he will be rodding it...I'll be learning all about that stuff this summer. As for my truck I plan to keep it about 99% original 'cause I just love these old trucks. Let's plan to meet in mid April if the snow ever decides to stop!
Bob