Today I earned a lot of respect for the numerous exhausts I've seen built on this site. It takes a lot of time and patience to layout, cut, and fit mandrel bent exhaust sections.....especially when it's your first time and the car is on jack stands vs. a lift. If I had a track log of my movements in the garage today it would resemble a Crayon drawing from a 3 year old whacked out on Mountain Dew.

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-c...-cMRMtDB-M.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Z...-ZBJHXZ8-M.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-S...-Sw22Msq-L.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-v...-v22nn9m-M.jpg

Welding and hanger fab school tomorrow!

Every time I do something on a car --- I gain new respect for those that can "really do it" --- and respect for the OEM engineers! Open the hood of a new car -- check out the packaging and then think to yourself -- someone has to build this as it's moving down an assembly line - in like - 15 minutes!


It looks good -- and it looks to me like you're having some fun too!


Loved the 3 year old on Dew analogy!


I will add this while I'm at it (since Stella is on Seattle time - but we're in SV so I'm up a little early). Once you've done this kind of work -- once ANYONE has done this kind of work themselves.... they'll never again question the billable hours from a good professional shop. They'll finally understand what it takes to do. The investment in equipment - overhead - skill - and if you want it to look professionally done - TIME.

Well said 'Boss of Stella'. :thumbsup:

The shop that originally installed the exhaust on the car in '91 is still in business and still does exceptional work but.........I had them bid it, but can't afford them right now. Their price looked fairer every time I crawled under the car and laid there scratching my head........after 30 or so trips their price looked pretty cheap......not to mention I tweaked a knee in the process.

Regarding tools my little Jet bandsaw paid for itself yesterday and a Burr-King would be a nice addition to the shop for final fitment.............almost as nice as a hoist. :D

Love seeing you tackle this job Sieg. Specially love hearing that the band saw just paid for itself. Awesome work!! :thumbsup:

Thanks Tracky :thumbsup:

What feedback can you give me on the Global West Del-A-Lum rear shackle kit? Does it limit lateral movement as advertised?

Looking good Sieg :thumbsup:

When you do it yourself you can get everything just right. I did the mufflers and tailpipes on my car a few weeks ago.... one thing I learned was that when the exhaust heats up, the tailpipes move around a bit. I ran my tailpipes between the leaf springs and rear fender like yours, and had to relocate the tail pipe mounts several times before I found the best position to keep the tailpipes from rubbing on the fender when the exhaust heated up.

Don’t make the same mistake I did by welding the mounts up solid right away... tack the mounts on and then do a test drive to make sure nothing rubs when its up to temp before finishing.

Just trying to save you from doing extra work!

:cheers:

Thanks Dale - I had planned on just clamping the tailpipes to the transverse muffler before final tacking. As is the guys that put the exhaust back together after the fire restoration weren't very meticulous and the muffler is pushed back and out 15mm off from perpendicular so I'm also factoring squaring the muffler in the future when I replace the rest of the tubing they butchered.

Did you use stainless or mild steel for your exhaust?

Test welds for the exhaust. Fuse welded 16 ga. at 45 amps. They look decent to me, critique please.

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2...2H4ZwcR-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-w...w2zkqkc-XL.jpg

FWIW - The aluminized finish didn't pose any contamination issues like I thought it would.

I'll be running a fan while welding the sections to clear fumes away from my helmet.

Like i said, you have talent