Duel Exhaust System 56 Buick Special

[Tom Gallagher]

Fellow Buick Enthusiasts,

I have to Replace the complete Dual Exhaust System, on my 56 Buick Special, with a 322 Buick Nailhead.
I want to go with Stainless Steel. What are My BEST Options. I have contacted Vendors/Suppliers Who will sell me a complete System for $750-$800 and I have to Install it Myself.
Other Owners have expressed that I should go to a Local Muffler Vender/Supplier/Installer, Who Specializes in Custom Performance Exhaust Systems.
I do Know of a Reputable Establishment near by. I have been able to obtain New NOS Hangers, Couplins and necessary Hardware.
Bending Pipes is one aspect, and this Particular Individual is Very Talented and has the Necessary Equipment to handle the Piping.

[Tom Gallagher]

My my concern are the Mufflers, Should i go with Smithy's. Smithy's Makes a 33 inch Muffler.
The Origional Mufflers are 33inches in lenght Monsterous and 8-9 inches wide, including the outlets at either end.
Smithy's Mufflers are Comperable in Lenght and Should provide a Close fit.
Would the sound of dual Smithy's be Overkill?
In also concerned, that the rest of the Exhaust System will be Maintentece Free Stainless, how will Smithy's Mufflers hold up over the Long Run.

[Tom Gallagher]

I want to have a nice sound that only a Finely Tuned Nailhad can Produce/Emit. The Sound is Very Distinctive and Quite Singular, But I don't want to start Hacking up a perfectly good Stainless Exhaust System in 3 or 4 Years to Replace 2 Mufflers That have Rotted Out. Thank God there aren't any Resonaters Involved.
If there are Any Fellow Buick Enthusiasts that have Some Experience and Past History concerning Exhaust Systems, I would be Extremely Happy IF YOU could Relate to Me the Type of System have Successfully opted to Install, as well Complication others have Knowledge/Experience pertaining to Exhaust Systems.
I am Completely OPEN to ANY/ALL Suggestions/Views and Opinions on the Subject. And I'm Very Negotiable if there are Any Custom Exhaust Venors/Suppliers in the Group.

[Maikl]

Hi Tom,

I just purchased a complete 1956 dual exhaust system in aluminized steel here: King & Queen Mufflers (paid $375)

I guess it is possible for them to do the pipes in stainless, too.
The clue with King & Queen systems is that they work from the original pattern, which means that you do not get a stick/weld-together system, but one with the original ball and socket-type-connectors ! Thus, use and possible replacement of the original "rotting-type" mufflers is easy !

I hope to have been of any help ! Let me know the outcome.

Best regards
Michael

[Judd]

Tom
I couldn't find a local shop that could do the ball ends on the pipes local so I ordered the pipes from old car specialist. I had a local shop build performance muffler with flanged pipes welded on to bolt in place of stock mufflers. You will need to supply them the mounting flange/brakets on muffler but your old ones should be good. I can unblt these mufflers and bolt on the stock mufflers in about 30 minutes with this set up.
Judd

[Tom Gallagher]

Judd,

That Sounds like a Splendid Idea! What Vendor/Supplier did YOU purchase the Pipes from?
What Muffler did You Use? The Originals are HUGE. The Muffler will have to be long about 33 inches to bolt on to the pipes inplace of the original.
Thanks a Lot, I Really Appreciate YOUR Imput.

[Judd]

Tom
I wouldn't recomend my vender he made one pipe to long and sent a replacement the same length after I told him it was to long? I used standard performance muffler and had muffler shop weld pipes on it so the whole set up was the same length as the stock muffler.
Judd

[Tom Gallagher]

Thanks Again, Judd,
For YOUR Valued Information.
Would YOU know of Any Vendor/Supplier who have the stock pipes in Stainless Available?
Could YOU Briefly Explain? What Exactly IS "Ball and Socket" Type Connectors? Most of the Exhaust System is Missing, However I have not Dismantled what is currently existing. The Right Side is Gone The Left Side is Mostly Still intact.
I have managed to acquire Nos Flanges and Exhaust Brackets with the Rubber Coated Hangers on E-bay. And I have noticed that Cars Inc. also has some in stock.
On the Original Set-Up, I have noticed that the Flanges are Bolted Together. Am, I missing something here? How are the parts/pieces assembled?
Once Again, I Think, I have mentioned this in previous posts Those Stainless Exhaust Tips that are Attached to the Rear Bumper? Is there Anyplace I can Acquire Replacements?

[Judd]

Tom

I have seen the flanges for the ***** on e-bay. Some of the flanges have mount for pipe hangers also. If you e-mail me off list at

sjmodels(at)datasync.com

I can take a digital picture of my set up and send it to you. I may have an extra flange or two around here I think? Do you have the correct dual exhaust bumper with the cut outs for the tips?

Judd

[Tom Gallagher]

Hi, Judd:

Thanks for the Response. I do have some Extra Original hardware. Mounting Braclets and Hangers with the Rubberized Fabric that is was able to pickup on E-bay. The Left side is just about all intact, but full of holes. The Right side is completely missing except for some brackets which are bolted together and are hanging I have left it that way to use the Right Side as Reference. I will have to cut the Tailpipe off on the Left side inorder to drop the tank and clean it out.
Do You know where I can obtain/purchase Replacements or of a Vendor/Supplier?
I'm Also fond of YOUR Idea regarding the Mufflers. The Origional Mufflers are Enormous
something like 33 inches long 8-9 inches wide and 4-5 inches deep.Regarding the Exhaust Setup, Do the Mufflers have ***** on either End? and the Pipes have the Flanges?
In Hemmings, I have noticed 2 or 3 Establishments advertizing complete stainless steel systems,which are quite expensive. I was wondering if a traditional muffler chain would be able to reproduce the Ball and Flange System, which by today's standards are obsolete.
I would like to weld on ends ball and flange ends to the muffler of my choice so as to be interchanceable with the origional Muffler.
I do have some time the exhaust is my next projct, Right now the steel rims are outsourced being sandblasted, so I can paint the rims before mounting the wide white I pucchased from Diamondback Classics and I'm inthe middle of replacing the new stainless fuel line from Inline Tube and completely going through the entire fuel system. I plan to drop the tank and bring it to a Radiator shop to have it boiled/cleaned out and then Treat the Tank. That's where I'm at right now.
I Appreciate YOUR Valued Experience and Knowledge regarding 56's since You have a Nice One and have been already been through the Process. Thanks again.
Tom Gallagher


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