I need to get the full exhaust replaced on my Ranchero, right now it has been cut off right at the floorboards and won't pass Texas inspection with out at least some kind of muffler. I need this to finalize getting a Texas title for it.
I was wondering if anyone has ever used the exhaust kits/pieces from the aftermarket parts suppliers, like Concours parts or Waldron's? How is the stuff?
What diameter tubing was the stock exhaust on these car? I can't seem to find the spec anywhere.
My plan is to pull the manifolds, clean them up and send them to JETHOT. From there replace the whole system back with hew hangers and brackets. I am sure its going to be a task to not snap any of the exhaust manifold bolts off in the heads.
Sorry, I have no experience with any of the kits.
But as far a coatings go, I would find a local coating source, so you can save the two way freight, and possible damage during shipping. Many of the larger powder coaters in my area have added equipment to do ceramic exhaust coatings and also internal engine (piston heat) coatings. I did the entire exhaust system on my '32 roadster, headers to tail pipes six years ago in satin black and they still "look like new".
I would also recommend that you run the system all the way to the rear bumper to avoid the under car "drone".
only did one from a kit and did not fit with out going to a shop with a bender was off just enough to not fit will never do a kit again the shop I go to is around 400.00 from manifolds to bumper custom bent and all welded hung in around 3hr. just did my courier 3 weeks ago
Ragtop....That is a gorgeous Courier. I'm sure I'm like everybody else...more pics and info please!!!
more pic. in galleries under construction its in for interior now just starting my next car its not a 57 but is ford 64 fairlane
In answer to your question about pipe sizes, they were 2 inch from the manifolds to the mufflers, 1 3/4 from the mufflers back. Personally, I would have a muffler shop make 2 inch pipes all the way. John
Quote from: Hoosier Hurricane on 2014-08-13 05:34
In answer to your question about pipe sizes, they were 2 inch from the manifolds to the mufflers, 1 3/4 from the mufflers back. Personally, I would have a muffler shop make 2 inch pipes all the way. John
That's what I should have done. I bought mine from a company about 10 years ago and put the pipes away until I actually needed them. When I finally did get around do installing them, everything looked good, but nothing fit. After cutting, welding, twisting and bending every single piece, it took me two days to get everything on the car.
Having a muffler shop do everything and stepping up to 2" like John said is a good idea.
Just put a Waldrons exhaust in my Country Sedan Wagon. Expensive as hell but it fit perfectly and sounds great. I got the "imposter" mufflers. They look like stock but have a nice husky sound.
Pete
Pete...some more info, please. Special order? website link? how expensive is "expensive as hell". What's the pipe diameter?
Rich, it must be www.waldronexhaust.com
Zap- :unitedstates:
Guess I'm cheap but expensive as hell is about $480.00 plus shipping if memory serves me correctly. Then you need to add the clamp and hanger kit from Concours which was over $100.00.
The pipe diameter is 2" from front to back and the fit was excellent. The website that Zap gave you is correct and you can search them on you tube and hear some of their systems.
Probably would have cost more to have a custom system bent and in my case would have required a wrecker ride to the muffler shop . Great product , quality pipe (aluminized) and it fit. You can also get it in stainless but that would really hurt your feelings price wise !
Pete
Thanks for the info, Zap, Pete. I'll give them a call when I get to that point on my priority list. I'll need some custom work/sizing, but may be able to get them to do oem bends on larger pipes.
Pete, I'll be anxious to find out if those imposter mufflers have a "drone" to them at highway speeds. I'm looking at some mufflers at summit(?) that are 370 each for the mufflers alone...the difference being they have an electric internal valve that controls the sound output. Expensive, but I sure like the idea of being able to quiet the sound if on a long trip.
Rich,
Waldrons also offers a "cut out" style muffler that is vacuum operated. You can check them out on YouTube and watch/ listen to them open and closed at idle and under load .
Pete
you can see that variable sound muffler video (Pontiac) on their site.
Zap- :unitedstates:
Thanks, I'll check it out. I've tried to listen to different muffler systems over the internet in the past..places like dynaflow. You can pick a car/engine close to what you have, then listen to all their different systems on it. Problem I had was they all sounded the same...probably 'cause I don't have a good sound system on my computer.
Glad to hear that the weldoron kit fit good.
I am trying to avoid a tow truck trip back and forth as well, I need to get my car titled here in Texas but I can't drive the car myself the way it sits. Trying to find someone who can drive a three on the tree is next to impossible.
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2014-08-15 18:39
Thanks, I'll check it out. I've tried to listen to different muffler systems over the internet in the past..places like dynaflow. You can pick a car/engine close to what you have, then listen to all their different systems on it. Problem I had was they all sounded the same...probably 'cause I don't have a good sound system on my computer.
It isn't so much the sound as it is the difference between a closed and open muffler. They do a pretty good test that demonstrates the difference.
Quote from: VwDrvFnd on 2014-08-15 19:39
Glad to hear that the weldoron kit fit good.
Trying to find someone who can drive a three on the tree is next to impossible.
LOL...you must be one of the younger generation...you need to find some old guys to hang out with!...
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2014-08-16 07:46
LOL...you must be one of the younger generation...you need to find some old guys to hang out with!...
I remember the days when I couldn't get the column shift converted to the floor fast enough. Today I'm really enjoying the three on the tree. Some of the younger generation can't even drive a stick. A few years ago I took my Panel truck to Costco for tires, first the kid was looking all over the column for the ignition and I had to point it out for him, then he looked at the shifter on the floor with a blank look on his face and when I told him it was a three speed he looked at me like I had a pile of $hit on my head, climbed out and asked me to move it into the shop bay :003:
Sorry I went off topic.
I love column shifts. I had to teach one of my buds 25 years ago on a 57 Chev he bought. I had no clue myself. But in about 5 min, I had the shift pattern figured out. Don't see them to much anymore so they are unique.
My first dirt sportsman was a 58 ford, 427, 3 on the tree. Talk about fun
The Waldrons parts I have used have fit fine. They have been in business for decades.
I always clean the oil off of new tubing and paint with header paint inside and out. Have a set I painted in 1969 still on a car.
Recently did some tailpipes with POR-15, we'll see how they hold up. Can't do the mufflers or headpipes they get too hot. (per POR-15 tech).
If you can find old hangers the rubber can be replaced with tire sidewalls cut into strips and 1/4" rivets.
Goodluck,
Ron.
If someone is looking to do exhaust on a budget, I bought a kit from JC Whitney, for $200 delivered. Exhaust guy wanted $600, so I went this direction. They didn't have a kit for a 57, I chose a 60's mustang/ cougar kit. I looked for the cars that would go up over the rear end, and kick out to the quarters to go around the wide fuel tank. To make up the wheelbase difference I bought a short section at the local parts store. It came with performance mufflers, looks stock, but has a nice tone with the Y-block blowing through them. I think they are 2", and I painted the pipes with KBS coatings high temp paint. Good luck, Mark
I had my exhaust done at a local one-man muffler shop. 2 1/4" with Magnaflow Turb XL mufflers...you may have already see the video...
Sounds great at speed on the freeway, but a little loud during acceleration...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj-5odSvX7E
I need to splice-in some footage at speed on the freeway and acceleration in the power band at 3000 rpm+.
Rob
Sounds great at speed on the freeway, but a little loud during acceleration...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj-5odSvX7E
I don't care what anybody says, that is one FINE sounding machine!
Rich I am of the younger generation, born in the 70's but grew up working on my own stuff and have never been able to leave stuff in its stock form. As a kid I never had a new bike, I always built my own out of old pieces the way I wanted it. My first car (82 Buick Regal) I built in my driveway out of two wrecked cars I bought for less than 300$ when I was 16. Drove it for 6 years only ever having to do regular maintenance to it.
But now my fat ass and being partially blind I can't do what I use to be able to do and finding people to help do the work is non existant. My block use to bee full of Car nuts and guys building fast street cars but all that has faded away. I would love to know a few local old guys with true car guy blood flowing thru there veins that didn't have a stick up there ass.
My dilemma with the exhaust is that I cant drive the car so I either have to get someone to drive it to an exhaust shop for me or have it towed. There are no decent exhaust shops near me so having it towed will be expensive.
My thought on the Welderon kit is that I could possibly get some help and hang it here myself in the driveway and save on the towing and install cost.
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2014-08-16 07:46
LOL...you must be one of the younger generation...you need to find some old guys to hang out with!...
I'm of the OLDER generation and live in Cypress. Where in H-town to you live? I might be able to drive it for you or help install a kit.
Well that one sure deserved an applaud! Nice offer LG
X2 what Rich said, nice of you to offer to help.
The old guys with cars that I have lunch with a few times a week there is only one other that actually works on his car besides me. The rest just seem to be on ego trips and throw $$$ at other people to do the work..
I'm old school and to me nothing sounds better then a Yblock. I run glass packs with full length tail pipes out the back, sounds great outside and is quite inside.
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2014-08-20 07:24
X2 what Rich said, nice of you to offer to help.
The old guys with cars that I have lunch with a few times a week there is only one other that actually works on his car besides me. The rest just seem to be on ego trips and throw $$$ at other people to do the work..
I'm old school and to me nothing sounds better then a Yblock. I run glass packs with full length tail pipes out the back, sounds great outside and is quite inside.
Jim I'm going to put that on my winter to do list. I'll remove the mufflers and install two short pieces of pipe. It ought to sound real nice when I come home late at night. Shift into second and let it gear down.
Get a AAA card.
Ron.
Rich, with all the positives the Waldrons have gotten so far in this thread am thinking you should consider adding them to your supplier list. What do you guys think ? Yes or No ?
Zap- :unitedstates:
I definitely appricate the offer, I am off 290 @ Bingle road. This last week has been hell on me, I got put on disability from work, my sister got arrested and they impounded her car, and I can't be out in the heat for long without wanting to pass out.
So my money situation is all in flux at the moment and as soon as I get my stuff straight and am able to put money in the car, I am going to take you up on it!
Quote from: Lgcustom on 2014-08-19 19:54
I'm of the OLDER generation and live in Cypress. Where in H-town to you live? I might be able to drive it for you or help install a kit.
The offer stands. Just let me know when you're ready and we'll work something out.
Larry
Thanks Larry
I will let you know!
Quote from: Lgcustom on 2014-08-25 18:00
The offer stands. Just let me know when you're ready and we'll work something out.
Larry
Back to the subject of breaking off manifold bolts in the head. I can't recall ever breaking off a manifold bolt on a Y- block. They just don't give that kind of trouble. Now if you have an FE engine in there, you can count on the top row giving you plenty of trouble. The bottom row not so much.
That's great to hear! It's the original 292 y-block never been cracked open!
Quote from: jumping jack flash on 2014-08-31 19:33
Back to the subject of breaking off manifold bolts in the head. I can't recall ever breaking off a manifold bolt on a Y- block. They just don't give that kind of trouble. Now if you have an FE engine in there, you can count on the top row giving you plenty of trouble. The bottom row not so much.