71 dp exhaust fitting question

[thesamwise4]

Gents and ladies,

I am in the process of replacing the EMPI quad tip muffler that came with the bus with a stock"ish" Ernst one from Bus Depot. Based on just about every comment I've seen regarding mufflers, I wasn't surprised to find that the fit isn't spectacular.

There is a gap of about one inch between the lower valve on the muffler and the upper opening on the rear facing-side of the heat exchanger.

Is the way forward really just to kind of bend and push until it fits, or is it possible to use some kind of tubing (like the fresh air tubes, but maybe a little more heavy duty [if this even exists...]) to bridge the gap? Or is there another solution?

Thanks in advance. Have a great weekend. Sorry if this question has been asked before--I did a search and didn't find an answer.

[bajaman72]

It's okay to ask here. Normally I've heard that bending them into place is what's needed. Slowly, carefully tweak em where they need to be. But I do things caveman style. I'm sure others may have a trick or two about how to do this easier.

[thesamwise4]

Thanks for the reply, Bajaman. I tried to bend it, but perhaps I am just missing something. I really couldn't get it to move nearly enough. When bending, are you using a crowbar? Just your caveman hands?

I am 3, no, 2 steps away from a mental breakdown.

I spent about 5 hours working on this today, I still can't find a way to get the heat exchangers to meet the exhaust. Here are some pics.


This is the right side. As you can see, there's almost no room to move/bend because the lower pipe is in place (I know it needs a seal and a clamp).



This is the left.





I tried to attach my bolts on tight, no dice. Bolts on loosely, no dice. Etc, etc.

Do you guys know if people have had to say "Forget it," and just get another exhaust? I would hate to do that, but I don't see how this one will fit.

I would really appreciate some help! Thanks!

[Gypsie]

I am wondering if the clamp and seal will span the gap? http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?par ... 113255341A.
Maybe it is s'posed to have a little gap? It does seem kinda big.

another thing I notice is that the exhaust fitting isn't fully seated in the flange. Or at least it looks like the wear pattern is still sticking out a bit. Might get you a tad closer.

2cents

[dtrumbo]

Do you have these? They're quite wide and perhaps will fill the gap (says the guy with a "custom" exhaust that longs for the simplicity of stock).

If not, they're part number 113255341A. I hope this helps.

[thesamwise4]

Clamps it is.

Thanks, everyone. I will give them a try and report back.

[Gypsie]

Dicks post had the nifty picture but my post had a link with the picture and a price with an easy way to purchase it post haste. so there phbtphbtphbt!

Though the Gypsie in me likes the flashing with clamps idea even better...

Or one of these
[album]195[/album]

Fernco Coupling in the proper size. I believe the rubber would withstand the heat but if not just pull it out and chuck it. Hmmmm.?.?.?.

can be had at yer local Home depot or Hardware/plumbing supply house....

[bajaman72]

Sorry, I thought you were talking about the heat riser bars. Even my big grizzly hands couldn't close that gap!

[Amskeptic]

The gap is normal, the misalignment of the two exchangers is not, the clamps are good to have because they keep the fresh air hoses/collars aligned in the middle of the rear tin holes.
Colin