65 side pipe
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 604
Likes: 14
From: Harleysville Pa
65 side pipe
I'm installing side pipes on a 65 that did not have them originally. Do I need to remove the small tabs that are located along the side of the car below the doors, or can I just leave them?
Thanks
Thanks
Safety Car
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From: Indiana
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Originally they were cut off on a sidepipe car. It won't hurt to leave them, and if you decide to remove the sidepipes, you'll still have the tabs. There was also a radius cut out of the inner fender well shield also behind the exhaust tip. I don't know how it would look, but you could Black out the tabs so they wouldn't be as visible. Look at your trim tag and see if it was an "S" or "A" body. AO Smith bodies did not come with sidepipes. Just something to think about. Personally I love the sidepipes.
Last edited by Geralds57; Jan 1, 2012 at 10:05 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,311
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From: Temecula CA
My coupe has owner-added sidepipes ('65). The front body tabs have to come off, but the rears don't interfere and don't get hot from the exhaust.
The metal rocker brackets - it's much neater to cut them off than just bend them back (which will work). But leave about 1/2" stub exposed.
Makes it easier to go back by welding new bracket sections back on.
The metal rocker brackets - it's much neater to cut them off than just bend them back (which will work). But leave about 1/2" stub exposed.
Makes it easier to go back by welding new bracket sections back on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 100
From: Phoenix AZ
My coupe has owner-added sidepipes ('65). The front body tabs have to come off, but the rears don't interfere and don't get hot from the exhaust.
The metal rocker brackets - it's much neater to cut them off than just bend them back (which will work). But leave about 1/2" stub exposed.
Makes it easier to go back by welding new bracket sections back on.
The metal rocker brackets - it's much neater to cut them off than just bend them back (which will work). But leave about 1/2" stub exposed.
Makes it easier to go back by welding new bracket sections back on.
Thats the way I did it on my 65 Coupe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,345
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From: Northern MN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I am not sure that this is correct. If that was the case you would be able to see the evidence of it. On my car (which is an original side pipe car) I don't see anywhere that it had the rocker moulding hangers on it and were cut off. Also, if that was the case you would never be able to tell if the car was not a side pipe unit. Any St Louis built body could be considered correct, even under NCRS guidelines.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: 50 kilometers outside Oslo Norway
Perhaps the factory side pies car did not have the tabs at all?
If it was my car an i was going to add sidepipes i would not cut off the tabs
If i had to bend the tabs i would bend them as little as possible
If it was my car an i was going to add sidepipes i would not cut off the tabs
If i had to bend the tabs i would bend them as little as possible
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
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From: Indiana
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I am not sure that this is correct. If that was the case you would be able to see the evidence of it. On my car (which is an original side pipe car) I don't see anywhere that it had the rocker moulding hangers on it and were cut off. Also, if that was the case you would never be able to tell if the car was not a side pipe unit. Any St Louis built body could be considered correct, even under NCRS guidelines.
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Former Vendor
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
You'll find all the pages from the AIM for installing side exhaust at this link. There are also some other bits of info on there too.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=327
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=327
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Washington Michigan
Also, the rocker molding support brackets on the birdcage sill weren't cut off on an original sidepipe car - they were never welded on to begin with.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: 50 kilometers outside Oslo Norway
If the tabs is left in place or cut off i suppose that there is no way you can see any difference except from under the car and the front on the fenders which i would never cut off to add sidepipes?
Team Owner
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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Team Owner
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: toronto ontario
My 65 is an A.O. Smith bodied car, When I installed the side pipes they were a very easy install, I did not have to cut or remove anything. I do not have that little fender tab at the front of the pipe. I guess someone may have had the pipes on before and removed them before I bought the car
Safety Car
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Actually, there was no difference in the frame - all of them had the "keyhole" at the rear of the side rail for the rear pipe hanger carriage bolt.
Also, the rocker molding support brackets on the birdcage sill weren't cut off on an original sidepipe car - they were never welded on to begin with.
Also, the rocker molding support brackets on the birdcage sill weren't cut off on an original sidepipe car - they were never welded on to begin with.
