73 replacement muffler
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia Pa
73 replacement muffler
I am trying to replace the passenger side muffler on my 73 4 speed. i just want to get it running and will replace entire system later. I went with volunteer vette. But I am not happy. They sent me a muffler that in my opinion is wrong. The outlet end is off center and will not fit into opening with bezel. It seems to me that the outlet must be centered in the muffler. Does anyone have a pic of their original exhaust system to compare?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fl///Columbus, Ohio
Damn..... the trash man hauled my rusted out origional exhaust away TODAY!!!
I've kept EVERY origional piece off my car EXCEPT the exhaust.
There is a few '73 4-speed owners on here... hopefully someone elese will be able to share a pic.
Damn..... I can't throw anything away!!!
I've kept EVERY origional piece off my car EXCEPT the exhaust.
There is a few '73 4-speed owners on here... hopefully someone elese will be able to share a pic.
Damn..... I can't throw anything away!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia Pa
Thanks guys,
This muffler is supposed to be for a 73 Evidently they use a standard body and weld the correct tip configuartions. They are trying to tell me that the outlet tip is supposed to be offcenter on the muffler but it just wont fit. it appears that I have the original system. The key is the outlet placement on the muffler body. They say it is correct and want me to pay shipping to send it back. I am not happy with this company. I dont think I will use them again. I dont think they actually crawl underneath any cars that they sell parts for.
This muffler is supposed to be for a 73 Evidently they use a standard body and weld the correct tip configuartions. They are trying to tell me that the outlet tip is supposed to be offcenter on the muffler but it just wont fit. it appears that I have the original system. The key is the outlet placement on the muffler body. They say it is correct and want me to pay shipping to send it back. I am not happy with this company. I dont think I will use them again. I dont think they actually crawl underneath any cars that they sell parts for.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Dan: I have never purchased from Volunteer, but have heard good things about them re 1973 mufflers. My current 1973 mufflers have center outlets; and the chrome 73 exhaust tips are also centered.
The 71-72 tips are off centered as stated by TRW. The 73 mufflers and the 71-72 mufflers are different! In fact, if you wanted to use 71-72 chrome exhaust tips, you would need the 71-72 muffler to go with them.
Let us know how this problem comes out. All 73 owners have the same issue.
The 71-72 tips are off centered as stated by TRW. The 73 mufflers and the 71-72 mufflers are different! In fact, if you wanted to use 71-72 chrome exhaust tips, you would need the 71-72 muffler to go with them.
Let us know how this problem comes out. All 73 owners have the same issue.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Exhaust
I have a 1973 and I think the muffler and exhaust tips should be offset, not centered.
The 70-72 exhaust tips appear to be straight, but the 73 exhaust tips are offset, and at an angle. In most parts books the 73 exhaust is listed separately due to this change.
kdf 1973 454
kdf 1986 L98
The 70-72 exhaust tips appear to be straight, but the 73 exhaust tips are offset, and at an angle. In most parts books the 73 exhaust is listed separately due to this change.
kdf 1973 454
kdf 1986 L98
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Clinton Indiana
The openings for a '73 are centerd in the tips. The inlet pipe of the tip should be angled inward towards the center of the car to attach to the outlet pipe of a correct '73 muffler. I have both a set of both SS repo tips & a set of NOS chrome tips that are made with this configuration.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia Pa
Ditto Jerry, Volunteer vette apparently does not want to talk to me anymore. Can anyone recommend anyone else to purchase a replacement muffler that I can trust to be correct. I believe I have the smaller hideaways but am not sure. I am going to take a pic of the left side which is still intact and ask for comment
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Clinton Indiana
Originally Posted by Patrick73
Jerry: Where did you purchase the correct configuration 73 mufflers for your car? Are your mufflers the "stock" round appearance ones or the "hideway"/71-72 type? Patrick
Jerry
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Clinton Indiana
Originally Posted by dans73ttop
Ditto Jerry, Volunteer vette apparently does not want to talk to me anymore. Can anyone recommend anyone else to purchase a replacement muffler that I can trust to be correct. I believe I have the smaller hideaways but am not sure. I am going to take a pic of the left side which is still intact and ask for comment
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia Pa
I talked to vv and they finally agreed that the outlet side of muffler should be centered. They said they to a 73 specialist in the area and he agreed. They are taking the muffler back and I am sending the old muffler which they will try to match. It doesn't sound like this area is their strong point. They rely on an outside guy who is a book guy only.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Dan: Thank you for the update. Keep us posted. I will be curious to see what muffler is now sent to you. I looked at my 73 muffler again--outlet on muffler is centered; I have stock 73 chrome exhaust tips (not 70-72's!).
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia Pa
Hello all,
I am educating myself very quickly whether I want to or not. The difference appears to be in the stainless tips. The 70 to 72 tips have the connector on the side. The 73 has the connector dead center. If you look at some the catalogs selling mufflers they will tell you that if you are buying the muffler for a 73 you must use a 70 to 72 tip. In other words they are not selling you a true 73 muffler which requires an outlet centered for the 73 centered tip.
I am educating myself very quickly whether I want to or not. The difference appears to be in the stainless tips. The 70 to 72 tips have the connector on the side. The 73 has the connector dead center. If you look at some the catalogs selling mufflers they will tell you that if you are buying the muffler for a 73 you must use a 70 to 72 tip. In other words they are not selling you a true 73 muffler which requires an outlet centered for the 73 centered tip.
