Thanks Jim! Are you talking about welding the clamp to the pipe or the flange I'm talking about making?

 

I'm assuming the bellows will probably have a specific flow direction won't they?

 

Maybe but I doubt it.

 

No, they should be totally smooth inside.

I'd just weld the stock flanges to the pipes and use the stock donut.
Otherwise if you really want to make it custom, weld the new flange to the pipe and make a gasket. I personally think re-using the stock donut is best way to seal it up, doesn't look like enough flat area for a traditional gasket, but I'd love to see what you come up with.

 

Jim, I agree with you're above thinking, but I question my own understanding of how the bellows works. Isn't it supposed to flex and that is the reason it works so well. So the part I question is how could the inside be smooth and still allow the bellows to still flex. I also doubt they would have a flow direction, please correct me if I am off with my thoughts, I tend to over think some things, and under think others.

 

I see what you mean Jim. Not much flat surface area on the collector or the clamp due to the beveled recess that the donut sits in, especially by the bolt holes........




Using the stock clamps as flanges welded to the pipe and the donuts is probably my best bet. The only other option would be to machine a flange with a rounded lip on it to go down into the recess where the donut goes and push a gasket in with it as it is tightened, but I don't know how well that would work. It would have to be a perfect fit.

 

I asked about flow direction cause the Vibrant Performance ::. ad, down where it says notes, says " -Features a directional, smooth flow solid liner " keyword being directional.

 

Well that kind of answers my questions, but I still don't get it. My pea brain just don't work very good anymore (and they tell me I haven't seen anything yet)

 

Maybe the solid liner is connected to one side of the inside of the bellow and not the other side, and the bellowed part is connected to both sides on the outside
I guess we're two pea brains in a pod Rich! LOL!!

 

One of those things we'll just have to see, maybe you could take a picture or have a simple explanation for me.

 

The bellows should be here in a few days. I'll take pics of them inside and out and we'll get to the bottom of this Rich!

 

You have a couple years on me Rich and I'm experiencing it all ready,

 

I HATE waiting for parts!!! My mind is racing and my a$$ ain't movin! Maybe the shipping Gods will shine down on me and my bellows will show up tomorrow

 

Haha, I know what your thinking. Hope you got a tracking number. They always make me feel better.

 

I've got cabin fever. The weather was crappy and cold all day here, supposed to snow tonight. I'm waiting on my bellows and clutch to get her and I didn't have anything to do today, so I stayed in the house and tormented my wife all day!