Exhaust leaks

[Morris]

It was reeking of exhaust in the cockpit and I was arriving to work quite dizzy, so I did an inspection of my exhaust system and found a few leaks. I spent the weekend repairing said leaks and believe I have them all sealed up. The car ran 20° cooler on the way into work today . However, I could still smell exhaust and was a bit woozy upon arrival at work this morning.

I initially found the exhaust leaks by holding my hand close to the joints in my exhaust system while the car ran. I could feel hot exhaust blowing out of the leaks. Now that the joints are repaired, I cannot feel any exhaust blowing out of the joints.

Is there a better or more accurate way to check for exhaust leaks?

Could there be another source for the exhaust smell?

Could I just be having a little mini-stroke on the way to work every morning?

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Morris,

Now is the time for the Windblocker. It made a significant improvement in cockpit CO emissions as I had the same issue. Easy to build yourself. Can be done for < $50-60. Less if you've already got a tonneau cover bracket.

Added bonus is ballcap now stays attached at 70+ mph without needing to be screwed on.

 

[Coastalman]

Jim,
Would you please tell me/us how you built and attached a windblocker on the tonneau bracket? I would like to build one.
Thanks,
Charlie

 

[jlaird]

The length the tail pipe sticks out from under the car is critical to exhaust in the cockpit. Too long is not good.

 

[SilentUnicorn]

I have the same problem. i suspect the tail pipe length. Does anyone know a good length? from the rear bumper back? or is it keep cutting till its too short..?

mark

 

[aeronca65t]

Here's a link (below) that shows the standard tail pipe distance.

<span style='font-size: 8pt'>And Morris: I can understand Mark having to keep warm, living up in almost-Canada, but for gosh sakes, *you* live in Texas!
Put the top down! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif</span>

Link:
https://www.shop.artofmotoring.com/viewitem.php?id=270

 

[regularman]

Sounds like you are running rich if you smell it that strong.

 

[Morris]

Well, it was misty this morning. Perfect open car weather this afternoon, but I was too fried after working late to mess with the top.

I am pretty sure I am not running too rich, Kim, as I have a wide-band 02 sensor that says I am running close to stoich (14.7 to 1).

I bought a home CO alarm to keep in the cab with me to make sure I am safe. So far so good.

As for my exhaust leaks, when I check the joints with the engine cold, I cannot feel anything. However, when the engine is hot, it feels like I can feel a little leakage. All the joints are welded except for one slip joint which never feels like it is leaking regardless of temperature.

Anybody have any thoughts on that?

Jim, I don't have a tonneau bar, but your handy work has inspired me, and I think I can mount a wind blocker to my roll bar quite easily.

 

[asoupley]

The length the tail pipe sticks out from under the car is critical to exhaust in the cockpit. Too long is not good.

how about too short?

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Morris,

I did sell my wind blocker after I installed a roll bar because it no longer fit. I quickly added a windblocker to the roll bar as well. Again works very, very well. Pics available just let me know.

thistle_3619@yahoo.com

 

[jlaird]

I expect too too short might be a prob but no clue really.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Morris,

I can't find pics of windblocker on rollbar right now but I used 4 or 5 3/4" pieces of aluminum bar stock about 2" long the I used bench grinder to cut through the back side so in the middle of the L shape I had a slit. I used some large screw radiator clamps to through the slit I cut in the back of the L and mounted to the rollbar. Did not need to drill the rollbar simply clamped around it. I cut a pice of flat stock so I could sandwich the 1/4" Lexan and used a pice of 1" Aluminum Stock on both sides, across the bottom on the windblocker for strength. Windblocker does not sit vertical. It could but that added complexity and took up additional room behind seats. Mounted at top, 3 brackets, and on sides 1 bracket each side. Total height about 11 or 12 inches as I recall. Tall enough that tonneau can fit underneath and still go over headrests. Send me your e-mail and I'll see if I can send some pics over. Again simple to make but too a long time to figure out mounting angles and methods.