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Old Mar 6, 2009 | 10:35 PM
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Muffler / exhaust question

I lost my muffler today. Seems to be no damage to the van, but I bought a new muffler, exhaust pipe, clamps and hangars to replace the rusted out stuff. The muffler slips into the tailpipe on the aft end, but the front pipe coming out of the converter still has the entry pipe of the old muffler quite firmly attached.. I removed the bolts and U-clamp, but I can't get the old piece off to stick the new muffler on. What's the secret?
 
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Old Mar 7, 2009 | 08:44 AM
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I think they use a chisel on it at the muffler shop. Air driven no doubt. It might be a different chisel if you are removing the inside or outside. I bet you can get a hand chisel and just hammer it.

Maybe someone with more experience will jump in here and have a better answer.
 
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Old Mar 7, 2009 | 09:48 AM
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The muffler part is larger than the exhaust pipe coming into it, so there is a 4" sleeve left on the pipe. I will try the chisel, and if that doesn't work, it looks like I can cut it off and put in an extension piece.
 
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Old Mar 7, 2009 | 09:50 AM
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I seem to remember a T shaped chisel. The risk is that all the banging may cause something else to give way.
 
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Old Mar 7, 2009 | 10:03 AM
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use an air hammer tail pipe splitter tool
can rent them. electrics usually don't have the power to git 'er done.
these Fords have thick tough exhaust pipe.

 
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Old Mar 7, 2009 | 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by tom_foreman
I seem to remember a T shaped chisel. The risk is that all the banging may cause something else to give way.
The replacement tail pipe is less than renting the tool, so the pipe cutter solved getting it off. I am adding a short piece on that end of the muffler to compensate.

I think I'll make a note to add an air compressor and chisel set like 96 showed in his post. I plan on keepoing these Aerostars a while longer. The girls both have Suzukis, and I'd rather work on an Aerostar any day! (I can get parts easier, too!)
 
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Old Mar 7, 2009 | 04:19 PM
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Easiest way is to use a sawzall with small tooth blade and cut diag just through the top pipe or close then you can take a chissel and smack it amd it will crack and you can bend and remove..


Dick
 
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Old Mar 7, 2009 | 08:07 PM
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Here's what happened:

It turned into the usual disaster at this address. The muffler broke off on the front ende, leaving the input pipe still froven onto the flex pipe. I cut the pipe where it came out o the muffler with the pipe cutter, thinking I might salvage the tail pipe. It wasn't in that great a shape, and the replacement piece was about $15, so I didn't bother. When I took the replacement (stock) muffler out of the box, it appeared to be about 6" longer than the old one I had cut off. This was too long to fit without hitting the thing that supports the rear axle. So I went back to the parts place, and they didn't have anything that would fit . . . except this bright red glass pack. I was in a mess by then, and went ahear and bought the thing, figuring it would work until I could get a suitable replacement. The whole thing assembled and bolted on in about 5 minutes. I started it, expecting a hot rod rumble, and it was quieter than the stock muffler before it went bad.

So . . . is there any issue running a glass pack, or shall I just leave it under there and drive merrily along?
 
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Old Mar 7, 2009 | 11:15 PM
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no problemo with a glass pack.

may blow out fiberglass pack over time, depends on quality of glass fiber and pack.

may or may not notice a little less pulling power due to decreased back pressure which can effect torque especially on 4L
3L may even run better at high rpms above 3K.

went thru about the same process on mine several years ago, went to replace the flex pipe and ended up replacing everything from CAT back to tip. rust, corrosion, rough roads and time.

sawzall is a very good idea. i'm more into the flying sparks and fire mode, 9" cut off grinder.
eye and chest hair protection mandatory. burning eye ***** and chest hair is not fun.

no more digging rust flakes out from under the eye lids for me

 
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Old Mar 8, 2009 | 01:47 AM
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Don't forget the dust mask when using the grinder. Otherwise, you will be blowing black snot for the next day.
 
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