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I'm in the beginning stages of an engine/transmission swap on my '73. One of the first things I did was to remove the existing exhaust. The removal was fairly straightforward but I have a curiosity question.
There was a slip fit joint at the transmission cross member. The rear pipes were inserted inside the back of the front pipes just behind the cross member. There was no clamp at all on these two joints. I used some penetrating lube and a drift punch to drive the front pipe off of the rear pipe. This was not the original exhaust. It's a 2-1/2" exhaust installed by the previous owner (he had it done by a shop if I remember correctly).
Should there have been some type of clamp or sealer on this joint? The joint fit fairly tight together and I didn't see any obvious evidence of an exhaust leak but I have smelled exhaust before in the car when conditions are right. It surprised me to find nothing to hold this joint together.
Yes, there is a clamp that goes on each side of the transmission. I couldn't find a photo of mine, but I found this diagram that shows the placement.
Donnie
Thanks Donnie, Appreciate the diagram. My car does have the center hanger bracket and the clamps as shown to hold the pipes up but my slip joints are to the rear of the cross member. My slip joints also did not have the slits in the side of the pipe like the diagram shows.
The "slits' may not necessarily be there. Sounds like you have a set of generic pipes (I replaced my exhaust last year with parts branded Corvette Central and they fit great, and as expected in the drawing). You can keep using them just put a clamp over the slip fit. You can also get another set of clamps to attach the pipes you to the center mount support.
Originally Posted by DC3
Thanks Donnie, Appreciate the diagram. My car does have the center hanger bracket and the clamps as shown to hold the pipes up but my slip joints are to the rear of the cross member. My slip joints also did not have the slits in the side of the pipe like the diagram shows.
Exhaust Slip Joint?
