stainless steel exhaust

[Galen]

I recently installed a stainlees steel exhaust. I cannot seem to tighten the clamps enough to prevent exhaust leaks. Should they be welded?

 

[Randy Forbes]

Welded is always better, as it can't loosen over hundreds of heat cycles.

 

[Cutlass]

I wouldn't try to weld those pipes. Did you try using upgraded clamps?
There are good ones on the market.

 

[Randy Forbes]

What's wrong with welding stainless, that's how they're constructed?

 

[Cutlass]

I said that I wouldn't try. And beyond that, if someone does, will the entire assembly come out in one piece when necessary?

 

[GregW]

will the entire assembly come out in one piece when necessary?

Mine does, and it is a similar setup to the earlier cars.

 

[Andy65]

Oh, I know this one. The stainless is slightly different diameter. Go to Home Depot plumbing dept. Get some stainless pipe inserts. These look a 2" dia. cylinder cut vertically in half. Slide them around your pipe and tighten. Works like a charm. Do you have a Bell exhaust. I really like mine.

 

[Andy65]

Let me update on this. The part at Home Depot is called a coupling. It is a rubber connector with a stainless cylinder slit vertically so the cylinder gets smaller by overlapping as the hose clamps are compressed.

 

[Johnny]

Let me update on this. The part at Home Depot is called a coupling. It is a rubber connector with a stainless cylinder slit vertically so the cylinder gets smaller by overlapping as the hose clamps are compressed.

I wouldn't add those to an exhaust system. Well, let me say I wouldn't now since I already did. When they get hot they'll melt the rubber away and boy does it stink, plus you'll never get them tight enough to seal properly. Get the heavier duty clamps available at most auto parts store. If the distance between the outer and inner pipe is large, you can use a gasket also available at the auto parts store. It'll wrap around the smaller pipe, yet you should still be able to slide the outer pipe over-it. Now position your clamps and tighten.

 

[zblu]

You could always use silastic as a sealer type gasket, the stuff doesn't melt/burn

 

[Michael Oritt]

Welded, clamped, insert or gasket--four solutions to a seemingly simple issue. My, we are an inventive bunch with diverse opinions!

FWIW if it were me I would go for the HD clamps--I have never had a problem making it seal up.

 

[GregW]

--I would go for the HD clamps--

WHAT?! Surely there <span style="font-style: italic">must</span> be something at West Marine that you'd recommend. :laugh:

 

[Michael Oritt]

Did I mention that I own West Marine?

 

[GregW]

Not that I recall. At the least I figured you had a shopping cart there with your name engraved in it. And a parking space.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Actually I don't own it but given all the money I spent there when I was fooling around with boats I should, as well as having that parking space.