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1972 Exhaust question

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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 06:40 AM
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Default 1972 Exhaust question


Any help/input would be greatly appreciated.We are going to look at this car this week. Owner claims it is a 72 (VIN that he supplied checks out that it is in fact a 72) I thought all 1972 had exhaust cut outs ? Since I am gong to be restoring the car it is not a big deal, we will be returning the car to original color. I was just wondering if I am missing something. Thanks

Last edited by MBC75; Aug 19, 2014 at 06:41 AM. Reason: picture did not upload correctly
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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 07:08 AM
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Originally Posted by MBC75

Any help/input would be greatly appreciated.We are going to look at this car this week. Owner claims it is a 72 (VIN that he supplied checks out that it is in fact a 72) I thought all 1972 had exhaust cut outs ? Since I am gong to be restoring the car it is not a big deal, we will be returning the car to original color. I was just wondering if I am missing something. Thanks
All 72's had the cutouts, someone probably installed sidepipes at some time and installed the rear filler panel or filled in the cut-outs.
Later someone removed the sidepipes and left the filler panel. Exhaust might be from a later (74+ ?) model or custom
M
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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Mooser
All 72's had the cutouts, someone probably installed sidepipes at some time and installed the rear filler panel or filled in the cut-outs.
Later someone removed the sidepipes and left the filler panel. Exhaust might be from a later (74+ ?) model or custom
M
Thanks I really appreciate the help on this
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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 01:12 PM
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HI MBC75.

I'm afraid there's more to it than has been shared so far in your thread. Fact is, for this car to be showing like your photo, more work than just adding or filling the rear exhaust valance is involved. The car's original design had the exhaust cutout SHARED/SPLIT between the valance and the quarter panel. Hopefully someone else will see this post and post a photo of exactly what I'm talking about.

If I were you, I'd check the back side of the valance AND the quarter panels in this area, looking to see if they were filled to close the exhaust cutout. If they were, you will need to remove the filling if you want to restore the car's original design. If the quarter panels are not filled in but are one solid piece, odds are the car has been rear-ended sometime in its life, necessitating new/replacement quarters. If this is the case, you need to look very closely for other damage/repair, such as in the frame itself.

Hope this helps.
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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 02:46 PM
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Mooser is probably dead on. Someone put side pipes on it and filled in the rear. Why you wouldn't go back if you put the pipes out the tail? Might have just been a bit easier. Question is, how does it sound?

If you are going to "restore" the car to appear original, keep the running log of things that will need to be replaced, changed, added, or removed and use that to help bring the price down.
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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 04:06 PM
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Hi MBC,
As redrdstr72 described the opening for the rear exit exhaust bezel is partly in the valance panel and partly in the quarter panel.
A fiberglass flange must be bonded to the quarter panel to support that side of the bezel if the original has been removed.
The under car exhaust systems from Gardner's and Corvette Central are worth checking out when it's time for a new system.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi MBC,
As redrdstr72 described the opening for the rear exit exhaust bezel is partly in the valance panel and partly in the quarter panel.
A fiberglass flange must be bonded to the quarter panel to support that side of the bezel if the original has been removed.
The under car exhaust systems from Gardner's and Corvette Central are worth checking out when it's time for a new system.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Hey Alan, thanks for posting that picture.....perfect timing as I'm installing new mufflers soon. I like the adjustment of the tips, not too far out, not too far in, just right.
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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi MBC,
As redrdstr72 described the opening for the rear exit exhaust bezel is partly in the valance panel and partly in the quarter panel.
A fiberglass flange must be bonded to the quarter panel to support that side of the bezel if the original has been removed.
The under car exhaust systems from Gardner's and Corvette Central are worth checking out when it's time for a new system.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Thanks Alan
I will have my paint/body guy make that happen. Mechanically I can do just about anything, but paint and bodywork I leave to the experts. He did my 75 and I am very pleased with the results.I will have the exhaust moved back to the correct location, it certainly looks better, I think. Is there any disadvantage to having the exhaust back to the stock location ?
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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 05:17 PM
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Hi 71 Green,
Originally the short piece of pipe coming out of the muffler has a sort-of diamond shaped tab welded to the top of it.
A corresponding cut-out in the top of the exhaust tip slid around the tab and positioned each tip consistently.
So few original mufflers are around that it's difficult now to even see what one of the tabs looked like or where it was placed.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 05:23 PM
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Hi MBC,
There really isn't any disadvantage to the under car exhaust. Coming up with nice rocker trim panels can take some $$ and effort.
The 69 side-exhaust system certainly had/has a "cool factor", and sounds terrific, but isn't right for every car and every owner.
Regards,
Alan

Sometimes I miss them and sometimes I don't!



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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 06:10 PM
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For me ....that 72 having the rear panels already filled would have put me one step closer to how I want my C3 .....

They done the hard part for me ....yes!..

I have factory sides on that puppy in record time
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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi MBC,
There really isn't any disadvantage to the under car exhaust. Coming up with nice rocker trim panels can take some $$ and effort.
The 69 side-exhaust system certainly had/has a "cool factor", and sounds terrific, but isn't right for every car and every owner.
Regards,
Alan

Sometimes I miss them and sometimes I don't!



Those look great, I think that I will really have to consider that as an option. I do like the cool factor, are there any major disadvantages to side pipes ?
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Old Aug 19, 2014 | 08:42 PM
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Hi MBC,
The original style side exhaust are surprisingly loud. Part of the reason is the outlet is so close to the driver's and passenger's ears.
Very few production cars have had an exhaust system that exits in front of the rear wheels.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Aug 30, 2014 | 06:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi MBC,
The original style side exhaust are surprisingly loud. Part of the reason is the outlet is so close to the driver's and passenger's ears.
Very few production cars have had an exhaust system that exits in front of the rear wheels.
Regards,
Alan
Thanks for all the advice I did purchase the vehicle. The valance is there, it was just covered as stated. Now the fun begins, money pit number 2
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Old Aug 30, 2014 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi 71 Green,
Originally the short piece of pipe coming out of the muffler has a sort-of diamond shaped tab welded to the top of it.
A corresponding cut-out in the top of the exhaust tip slid around the tab and positioned each tip consistently.
So few original mufflers are around that it's difficult now to even see what one of the tabs looked like or where it was placed.
Regards,
Alan
The centering tab that Alan is describing...



Regards,

Stan Falenski
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