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

I went with stainless headers, stainless mufflers, and 3" diameter aluminized steel tubing for the rest. I also put in a couple of the Dynatech V-Band clamps between the X-pipe and the mufflers so I can unbolt and remove the exhaust when working under the car.

You need to get your car back together for a Lat-g beaches get together out at PIR... coming up soon.

:thumbsup:

Thanks! I definitely plan on V-Band clamps when I replace the main runs.

I'm pro tinkering Norwood as fast as I can!

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-x...-xcKV4fF-L.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-w...-w2DVt76-L.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2...-2jBZ3R4-L.jpg

Just need to fab hangers and weld them in place and install tomorrow............assuming they fit. :D

Looks killer. :unibrow:

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7...-7Tsrfnx-M.jpg

Well..........they almost fit. :D

Had to cut a weld on the passenger side and rotate it about .25" then bent some rod for the hangers and hopefully they're done!

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-s...-sRFLQzP-M.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-z...-zsxNk9c-M.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-p...-pztP2gq-M.jpg
Top center of this pic shows the original Fathom Green color.

nice work man, what filler are you using?

Thanks Vince - I just fit the seams net, fuse tacked, clamped, tacked and then fuse welded in .75 - 1" segments alternating 180* around the tube. 1/16" tungsten, 45 amps with gas lens. The aluminized finish didn't have the contamination issues I was fearing, I've had clean steel act worse. The welds appear to be dished only a few thousandths, hopefully they won't fracture.

Sieg...FTW! :thumbsup:

Great work Sieg, looks fantastic

Now all them there fancy new fangled jewelry thingumbobs musta hepped you weldin' skills huh boy?


Looks good Sieg! I hear there's more than one or two shops out there lookin' fer sum new fabricators!

Fit The Weld - if you want good results!
Thanks mate. :thumbsup:
They certainly didn't hurt, but they didn't help as much as all the behind the scenes coaching you've provided. :thumbsup:

It will be interesting to see how much these tailpipes alter the sound.

Truer words were never spoken!


Fit up -- and cleanliness... just as important as skills for the less experienced guys.


To me it's like golf. An average golfer hits into the rough - he can't recover... the pro hits into the rough behind a tree and puts it on the green. Same thing welding... give yourself a decent chance FIRST by making your fit up spot on... cause it's way easier to hit when you're in the fairway. :welcome3:

Nice work!

A little touch up of the undercoating as frosting on the project :D
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5...-55SxMK6-M.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-n...-nzh5SvP-M.jpg

Replaced the old fuel line link and added some heat shielding.
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-B...-B4Fpszs-M.jpg http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5...-54H4WJB-M.jpg

Things may progress even slower for a while now since Tucker (with an F) took me down yesterday and appears to have damaged my right knee. :(

A buddy (our age) playing in a Thanksgiving Day tradition (fathers vs sons) got his knee taken out by one of the Labs at the game -- who decided he should be tackled. It mostly just sucks to be old.


Personally -- I feel sorry for poor little T(f)ucker... He probably needs a loving home.


:lmao: :catfight:

I was just heading down the 2 to 1 slope in the backyard to pick up some litter that had blown in and he charged perpendicular to my direction from about 40' wanting to play........put me on my face. Knee is swollen and popping and doesn't want to straighten, cane required for navigation. http://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/gerg.gif

On the other hand a cane can provide some unique life experiences...

Sorry to hear about the knee. My lab took me out on my way to answer the door months ago. I can tell you that A face plant down the stairs does not bode well for door to door solicitors no matter how cordial the greeting or enticing the product.. Brutus has yet to explain to me why a doorbell initiates perpetual 360 spins in addition to the incessant barking. I would have thought the barking to be sufficient

Sieg, with all your newfound mod powers perhaps you could bestow on us a "this thread is worthless without Vids" smiley?

When the knee is up to task a soundbyte and drivers impression report shall be due. Please?

George is such a tool.............:D

This is my cane: http://www.momentusgolf.com/images/c...istributed.gif
It has a 48 oz. solid steel shaft........it was convenient and it's primary function isn't of much use right now. :D

You don't want to be on the stairs when Tucker's ascending or descending, Dane's aren't exactly ballerina's on stairs.

Mod's don't possess site altering powers contrary to popular belief. Admin's carry the big guns, we just carry billy clubs and pack their ammo. :warning:


Here's a video for ya:
:geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer: :geezer:

Been a long time since I've been down that road and I am currently using poly bushings but theoretical thinking tells me that a stiiffer bushing is going to increase spring rate in a roll condition due to the leafs twisting and binding. If your car is currently pushing up front I would say go for it.

My bad, I thought I saw the Del-A-Lum shackle kit on your car.

In their marketing statements they claim: "Del-A-Lum bushings also provide lateral control of the leaf springs." My tire clearances are tight enough that limiting lateral play wouldn't hurt the situation. Regarding front end push - it's not been an issue, the rear springs are a pretty stiff rate.

If your not getting any tire rub and your not pushing I would hold off.
Any possibilities of putting in any track time? T-Hill June 30th? :unibrow: Pushing the car is the only way to really know what direction to head next.

I've got about .75" from the inners and .5" or less on the outer lips. Doubt I'll track it down there, just getting there is the goal. That all could change pending the ortho's diagnosis of the knee in the next couple of days.

Doctors orders:
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-p...-pg8WDcq-L.jpg
X-rays were good, sprained and stretched medial collateral ligament.

If you're not up on knees here's a quick pictorial education:
http://pages.uoregon.edu/esorens1/hp...0of%20knee.png

Sieg,

Glad it's not worse.

That's nice of GW to volunteer to finish yer 'Maro for ya.

Oops, all of a sudden I feel a :bur2:from the WahWah state.

:hello:

Hey matching socks!! REST UP AND GET BETTER

Sucks you're laid up Sieg :(, but it coulda been worse! I know MCL issues all too well.

Look at the bright side: maybe you'll have more time to post on LatG :lol:

That's GW's hood, I'm from the OrOr state. :mock:

I only post photo's of myself on the days my wife dresses me...........I wish a few other members would follow the same rule. :underchair:

Contrary to popular belief I'm not trying to knock GW off that throne. I'll just keep him checking the rearview mirror occasionally.

I was lucky, the knee was loose and popping enough that the doc took xrays, he actually sounded surprised with the results. Highlight of the event was Nikki the hottie x-ray tech saying "you're very photogenic" :excited:

What a candy azz....


BTW -- the "nurse" says that to EVERYONE....

They're so overated, aren't they?

lol

Mathematically not sure that's possible without a manservant's' posting assistance. :D



Uh yeah...

:hello:

Hence the hazardous duty pay...

:lol: