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last year, there was some discussion here about complete exhaust systems, how well they did or did not fit...we spent the intervening months checking with many old muffler shops in our area without much success...they all said that they could build us a complete exhaust, but none had the original bending cards...to complicate matters, beyond the manifold, we are missing everything original, including hangars, straps, etc...thus, while these proposed muffler shop systems would work just fine, it most probably wouldn't be correct to original specifications...so, now we're back to looking at complete systems sold "ready to install"... has anyone any vendors to recommend or avoid?..how about parks pipes, which advertises in the g&d?..fs?..chev's of the 40's?..  epi
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Don't know what your objective is, but after replacing the exhaust system on several of my cars, almost on an annual basis, I have installed complete stainless steel systems and solved all my problems. If interested, I could get the specific company names, however there are two of them, both in FL if my memory serves me correctly, and they both advertise in Hemmings. All the systems I have purchased fit very well and have a very pleasing sound. 
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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ray, thanks...our objective is to retore the truck as correctly as possible and as a daily driver, not for show...aside from the material, how accurately did these systems (that you have used previously & now) replicate the originals?.. epi
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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Kepich(not sure of spelling) exhaust vends very resonably priced aluminized systems that are very good match to original.
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videoranger, where is "kepich" located?.. epi
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They can be reached at 1-800-365-5764 john@kepichexhaust.com 17370 Alico Center Rd. Ft Myers Fl 33912. They sell complete systems made to OEM specs in aluminized and stainless. I bought a system from them a couple of years ago and was very pleased with the fit and original look of the pipes and the muffler. Shipping is not all the expensive
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Thanks videoranger for posting the info. I have used several of their systems and was very pleased. When you make the order specify that you wish the system to LOOK like the original. By so doing my muffler was a very good match for the original and was not noticeable as being made from stainless.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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videoranger & ray, thanks...I'll contact them... epi
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The Kepich Exhaust homepage is at: http://www.kepichexhaust.net/
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bigbob, thanks for the link...we see that they stock the complete system we need... epi
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we called jack at kepich this morning and ordered a complete system... it was in stock, so it will ship out monday...interestingly, they don't take credit card payments, so it's checks or cod only... now, where do we procure the hangars & brackets that we need for installation?..any suggestions would be appreciated... epi
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Epi...
I hope you keep us posted on how this system works out. Did you get the stainless steel system?
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bigbob, no, we ordered the steel...most like the original...the boys are kinda sticklers for correctness...as I've said in other posts, the only thing planned or done not to original are the www tires (although they're the correct size bfg's), seat belts, & turn signals... sure, we'll keep you posted when it arrives next week... epi
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the kepich exhaust system arrived today, eight days from shipment date... from the looks of the parts book, we are missing a muffler strap (w/u-bolt, nuts & lockwashers); muffler bracket (w/bolts, & nuts); & muffler tailpipe support bracket (w/bolt, nut, clamp-spring)... seems to us that the only generic item is the muffler strap...where can we purchase the other brackets & clamp-spring?.. epi
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Backyard Mechanic
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Hopefully the pipes and muffler are correct for the original application. A "complete exhaust system" for antique applications usually does not include clamps and hangers. You might try Chevs of the 40s or another vintage Chevy supplier for those items. Ebay is also a possible source, but it takes time and constant monitoring of listings to find items there. If you're a VCCA member the tech adviser for your year might be able to help.
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videoranger, thanks...yes, we didn't mean to imply that the "complete exhauust" we ordered was incomplete...I reread our post and realize now that's how it sounded... we just meant that the pipes and muffler had arrived, but we were still behind in finding the original hangar accessories... chevs of the forties has some stuff listed, but it sure doesn't look anything like what's shown in the chevy parts book...then again, we're restoring a pickup, so maybe the diagram is more appropriate for the cars?.. epi
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Sorry, can't help on the parts, but was wondering if you're happy with the quality of the system you received. Did they ship O.K.?
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brjr51, yes, it looked very good upon arrival...not much packaging, well, actually none at all...just held in a bundle with strapping tape...but they must have a good record with shipping this way with airborne express, as it survived the fl to ca trip just fine... we were impressed with the complexity of the fabricated tubes...being our first time dealing with the exhaust, and since our truck just has a single pipe from front to rear, we were expecting something quite simple: a big sweeping downtube from the manifold, a muffler, and a hump for the rear axle...but these tubes appear to have a multitude of subtle kicks, bends, & offsets...guess we'll see in a few days what they are all for & how well it all fits... epi
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so we're trying to fit the new exhaust and are back to the muffler... is there a directionj of flow, if not marked?..or, other than the location of the two nipples dictating, is there an inlet & outlet on the muffler?.. within those limits, & all else being equal, should we strive to have the can seam in a particular location, such as at the top or bottom?.. epi
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Epi Check out this ebay auction, it may be one of the parts you are looking for. Item number: 2458202324 Tail Pipe Bracket Good luck :)
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bigbob, thanks...looks good... epi
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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The tailpipe support on E-bay is for passenger cars. pickup trucks did not have the rubber insulator, all they had was strap steel. Don't know of anyone making the bracket/clamp.
Walt D
1934 Mstr 4 dr/sidemnts
1937 1/2 ton P/U
1953 Bel Air HT
1946 Aeronca 7-AC Champ
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does anyone have a pic of the tailpipe hanger and exactly where & how it attached?.. epi
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Hey Epi... How goes the battle? 
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bigbob, glad you asked!.. we want to start by saying that the kepich exhaust fit very well and was made from good material...we are very satisfied with the system quality and fit... in fact, while we were installing it, still adjusting the parts, and before any clamps were in place, we started the kc to see what it sounded like...it fit together so well, the system had no exhaust leaks... however, there was an issue with the cost...when we first called kepich to order, the manager/sales person, jack quoted us $100 including shipping...we chatted for ten more minutes about my order as well as how long they had been in business, what they specialized in, how their warehouse was set up, and how he'd run the operation for the owner for years... as we noted earlier in this thread, kepich only accepts checks & cod, so jack suggested using the cod for $5 more...we agreed... when it arrived, airborne express was directed by kepich to collect $161... not wanted to send it back after the ten-day wait, we paid the higher amount and called jack...we were directed to the office receptionist, who talked to the owner, john... she called us back and explained that jack was still working off a years-old price list, and that they had also discontinued including shipping a few years back, as well...the price had risen to $130, $30 for shipping, and $5 for the cod service... to us, this wasn't that plausible, unless jack hadn't sold any exhaust systems in the past few years... still, considering the fit & quality, we felt the actual cost to be fair, so we accepted the circumstances as some kinda mix-up on their part and proceeded to install the exhaust... sorry for the long-winded post, but we wanted fair, balanced reporting on our experience... epi
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