Another build thread? Yep, my track-style T

[J. Robinson]

During my first couple of test-drives I was running this thing with no exhaust system. All it had was the original manifold and about 6 inches of exhaust pipe that had been cut with a torch. Actually, the manifold doesn't look too bad; it's a welded tube assembly that looks like a header, but the short pipe was not acceptable. Aside from being too loud to keep the neighbors and local constabulary happy, it backfired repeatedly whenever shifting or decelerating. The solution, of course, was to put a longer pipe on it which gets the sound behind the passenger compartment, mellows it just a bit, and eliminates the backfiring.

I began by looking for some exhaust tubing. None of the local auto parts stores carry any long straight sections; all they have is 2 ft. pieces in stock. If you want 6 or 8 ft. sections you have to order them and wait overnight. If you want bends, they also have to be ordered and wait 2 to 4 days depending on which store you get them from. I didn't want to wait, so I went in search of alternative materials. At my local Lowe's I found some 90 degree bends in the electrical conduit section. The 2 inch stuff actually measures about 2 1/4 inches in diameter. Next, I went to the chain-link fence section and found a corner post that measures 2 3/8 inches. The conduit bend fits nicely inside the fence post. All this stuff is thinwall tubing, galvanized inside and out, and it's considerably cheaper than exhaust tubing! I came home with a fence post and two conduit elbows. Also, in the fence section I found a clamp that fits perfectly around the pipe (post) to use for a hanger.

I attempted to upload some pictures, but for some reason the "Manage Attachments" window won't open. I don't know if the problem is with my computer or with this site. I'll try again later...

[Dave Severson]

During my first couple of test-drives I was running this thing with no exhaust system. All it had was the original manifold and about 6 inches of exhaust pipe that had been cut with a torch. Actually, the manifold doesn't look too bad; it's a welded tube assembly that looks like a header, but the short pipe was not acceptable. Aside from being too loud to keep the neighbors and local constabulary happy, it backfired repeatedly whenever shifting or decelerating. The solution, of course, was to put a longer pipe on it which gets the sound behind the passenger compartment, mellows it just a bit, and eliminates the backfiring.

I began by looking for some exhaust tubing. None of the local auto parts stores carry any long straight sections; all they have is 2 ft. pieces in stock. If you want 6 or 8 ft. sections you have to order them and wait overnight. If you want bends, they also have to be ordered and wait 2 to 4 days depending on which store you get them from. I didn't want to wait, so I went in search of alternative materials. At my local Lowe's I found some 90 degree bends in the electrical conduit section. The 2 inch stuff actually measures about 2 1/4 inches in diameter. Next, I went to the chain-link fence section and found a corner post that measures 2 3/8 inches. The conduit bend fits nicely inside the fence post. All this stuff is thinwall tubing, galvanized inside and out, and it's considerably cheaper than exhaust tubing! I came home with a fence post and two conduit elbows. Also, in the fence section I found a clamp that fits perfectly around the pipe (post) to use for a hanger.

I attempted to upload some pictures, but for some reason the "Manage Attachments" window won't open. I don't know if the problem is with my computer or with this site. I'll try again later...

Supporting the fine old Hot Rod tradition of take what you got and build what you want!!!! Well done, Jim! Improvising seems to have almost become one of the lost arts of Hot Rodding!!!!!!