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I have a 1960 and I know many C1 owners let the tailpipe extend a half inch or so beyond the bumper, I assume to reduce carbon or condensate deposits inside the bumper. For those who have done this, or thought about doing this, how do you view the pluses and minuses relative to ending the pipe inside the bumper as original? I need to make a decision for mine soon. Thanks.
I went to the auto store many years ago and bought two tail pipe couplings (?) and added them to the tail pipe on my 59. Extends about 1.5 inches past the bumper. Keeps that area MUCH cleaner. The only down side is that I occasionally bang into them with my legs.
I posted this information on another thread seeking advice on exhaust systems and muffler choices. I have a semi custom stainless exhaust installed in my 60 many years ago (over 25 years) that the installer suggested he extend the tips about 1/2" to 3/4" beyond the chrome bumper exits, not so much to help keep the bumpers cleaner, but because my exhaust will actually grow 1" to an 1 1/2" as it warms up. It was explained to me and I had to agree that as the system expands in length, if he were to cut the pipe ends short to keep them hidden inside the bumper exits, I would run the risk of the ends catching on the inner lip of the bumpers and literally pushing them out and causing damage.
I have had my system installed all these years and never had an issue. You can hear the exhaust pipes shrinking as the system cools.
I posted this information on another thread seeking advice on exhaust systems and muffler choices. I have a semi custom stainless exhaust installed in my 60 many years ago (over 25 years) that the installer suggested he extend the tips about 1/2" to 3/4" beyond the chrome bumper exits, not so much to help keep the bumpers cleaner, but because my exhaust will actually grow 1" to an 1 1/2" as it warms up. It was explained to me and I had to agree that as the system expands in length, if he were to cut the pipe ends short to keep them hidden inside the bumper exits, I would run the risk of the ends catching on the inner lip of the bumpers and literally pushing them out and causing damage.
I have had my system installed all these years and never had an issue. You can hear the exhaust pipes shrinking as the system cools.
Hope that helps.
Ted
I have never heard of such a thing and call Bullshit on it. If tis was the case I would think it would break any solid hangers on the exhaust.
3. The heat retained by the SS will cause your exhaust system to grow in length as the car warms up. Customers have measured this growth at as much as 1 ½". This change is enough to make even properly fitting pipes rattle.
3. The heat retained by the SS will cause your exhaust system to grow in length as the car warms up. Customers have measured this growth at as much as 1 ½". This change is enough to make even properly fitting pipes rattle.
Maybe SS but I have never heard of this with standard mild steel. I agree it would rattle and I have never heard of complaints about this.
Well, I can confirm what my system has done for over 25 years whether someone wants to call BS or not. I will say, that I have never had to retighten any pipe clamps during that time and besides pulling the engine several times and leaving the downpipes in place I haven't had any issues. I did post a thread about gutting the factory heat riser so I did not have to listen to an annoying squeak/rattle during idle.
After I did that and installed a pair of steel exhaust donuts (don't ever use the fiber exhaust donuts on these systems) I just ran it over 5K miles across country last year with no problems.
It is by far the best sounding exhaust system for this car and I have received countless compliments. I may have to replace the cherry bombs I installed if they deteriorate, but I am sold on stainless.
I went to the auto store many years ago and bought two tail pipe couplings (?) and added them to the tail pipe on my 59. Extends about 1.5 inches past the bumper. Keeps that area MUCH cleaner. The only down side is that I occasionally bang into them with my legs.
I can't say about the length, however mine have been on about 35 years and they stick out of the bumper about 1" or so and I seem to bang my legs on the same place on them whether they are cold or hot.
Hey Bill, I much prefer them to stick out to allow exhaust and moisture to blow outside the bumper. My exhaust guy ignored me and ended them inside the bumper, so I had him make a couple of short extensions by tapering down the end of the same size pipe. I tap it up inside the pipe and can remove it if I need to if it should get nasty looking.
Last edited by 65GGvert; Jun 30, 2017 at 10:21 AM.
Considering the relatively small difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between steel and "stainless" steel in the heat range in which an exhaust system operates, it is difficult to understand a 1 1/2" lengthening of an aftermarket arrangement.
One of my 57's had a Zierden stainless exhaust system on it, and I'll call BS on the expansion claims too. My neighbor had a '58 at the time with a new aluminized steel system - his tailpipe protrusion gained about 1/4" to 3/8" when hot, and my stainless system grew EXACTLY the same amount. Look in the tables in your Engineer's Handbook and compare the coefficient of thermal expansion between stainless and aluminized steel tubing, and the difference is insignificant.
Well I just drove my car this past weekend to visit my friend about an hour north of me and decided to measure the expansion length immediately after I shut it off. It measured just over 1 inch from its length completely cold. I honestly don't know why we keep going back and forth on this. I have my experience that I posted and some members have posted theirs disagreeing with it as impossible.
The purpose is to hopefully educate the OP about whether to purchase a standard aluminized (sp?) exhaust system or a stainless set. If you ask me, I'm sure the OP and anyone else who was hoping to make a decision on which to buy is now equally confused. :P
Good luck to the OP and hope everyone had a great holiday!
Last edited by tfvesquire; Jul 6, 2017 at 02:22 PM.
Well I just drove my car this past weekend to visit my friend about an hour north of me and decided to measure the expansion length immediately after I shut it off. It measured just over 1 inch from its length completely cold. I honestly don't know why we keep going back and forth on this. I have my experience that I posted and some members have posted theirs disagreeing with it as impossible.
The purpose is to hopefully educate the OP about whether to purchase a standard aluminized (sp?) exhaust system or a stainless set. If you ask me, I'm sure the OP and anyone else who was hoping to make a decision on which to buy is now equally confused. :P
Good luck to the OP and hope everyone had a great holiday!
While this may be good info for someone asking about any differences between standard steel and SS it has nothing to do with answering the question the OP posed. He wanted to know about how far out some people position their tail pipes out of the bumpers. The damage caused by the condensation and heat from the exhaust occurs long before any potential growth of the system.
C1 Tailpipe Length
