Inexpensive Exhaust system available?
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Inexpensive Exhaust system available?
New to this forum and just looking for some help. I have had a dream since I was in high school (mid 80s) to own a 70's series Ford Truck. I finally got one a 71 F250 4x4 with the 390 in it. It is not a show truck but the engine is still strong. A farmer has had it for years and I am not in the process of re-building it. The Exhaust from the Manifolds back was rusted and gone. I cannot find a decent and inexpensive exhaust kit anywhere. Muffler shops around town are telling me $700+ which is more than I paid for the truck! LMC has a nice set but says it will not work on 4X4 or Manual Transmission which I have. Can anyone suggest a system that a non-mechanic can purchase and install? I may not be a mechanic but I can do almost everything on this truck. Help would be great.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
Welcome to FTE.
$700 ? Sheez.... that's highway robbery.
Speedway Motors offers a universal mandrel-bent tubing kit for $140. The pieces are slip-fit but with some careful measuring and cutting I believe it is doable without a welder. However, tacking the system in place and then fully welding the tubing is by far the most sano way to install it to avoid a zillion clamps.
Mufflers? Your call... too subjective for me to make a recommendation. But Summit recently came out with house-branded welded steel mufflers for about $30 each.
$700 ? Sheez.... that's highway robbery.
Speedway Motors offers a universal mandrel-bent tubing kit for $140. The pieces are slip-fit but with some careful measuring and cutting I believe it is doable without a welder. However, tacking the system in place and then fully welding the tubing is by far the most sano way to install it to avoid a zillion clamps.
Mufflers? Your call... too subjective for me to make a recommendation. But Summit recently came out with house-branded welded steel mufflers for about $30 each.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
Welcome aboard.
Ya, $700 is pretty steep for a simple dual exhaust system. They trying to sell you some catalytic convertors too?? That you don't need.
I just put a true dual setup on my '89 that I got from LMCtruck. It was NOT a bolt on. If I didn't have a welder and torches, it was not going to fit. It was cheap, but not simple to install.
You might be better off finding a stock Y pipe and going from there. That will get you away from the front of the truck(ie: transmission and linkages). Then it's a straight shot to the back of the truck.
Ditto on the Summit brand stuff. Usually just a name brand part with their part number on it. Just got a set of Summit shortie headers in a Pacesetters box. I think they buy in bulk, then sell at reduced price.
Ya, $700 is pretty steep for a simple dual exhaust system. They trying to sell you some catalytic convertors too?? That you don't need.
I just put a true dual setup on my '89 that I got from LMCtruck. It was NOT a bolt on. If I didn't have a welder and torches, it was not going to fit. It was cheap, but not simple to install.
You might be better off finding a stock Y pipe and going from there. That will get you away from the front of the truck(ie: transmission and linkages). Then it's a straight shot to the back of the truck.
Ditto on the Summit brand stuff. Usually just a name brand part with their part number on it. Just got a set of Summit shortie headers in a Pacesetters box. I think they buy in bulk, then sell at reduced price.
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Thanks HIO, I will check those out for sure. Yeah the average was $650-$750 everywhere I called. Ridiculous. I am going to use the truck for hunting and getting wood, something that I don't have to worry about whether I get a little scratch on it or not. But I don't need a high performance exhaust system either. I'll want to get it as quiet as I can.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2012
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Im in the same boat as you Jeff. Through the wisdom of most of the people that use this site i've decided to go with headers over stock exhaust. They say the stock manifolds tend to warp a bit due to their design which causes exhaust leaks. My plan is to use this truck (a 71 F250 390) to haul dirt and make runs to the dump, so i'm not going to drive it alot. I am however going to invest in the exhaust so that i'm not fixing it again down the road.
My advice is to at least pick up headers over stock exhaust manifolds, it will save you money in the long run.
My advice is to at least pick up headers over stock exhaust manifolds, it will save you money in the long run.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
On sale day, 360's magically become 390's. Only V8 available for 1968/76 F100/250 4WD: 360 2V.
Engine code 4th digit of the VIN. 1968/76 F100/250 4WD: A = 240 I-6 (1968/74) / B = 300 I-6 / Y = 360 2V.
FoMoCo did not offer dual exhausts for any truck until the Lightning model came out in the late 1990's.
Lightning: The left inlet pipe crosses over to the right side where the muffler is located, then both pipes exit out the right (passenger) side.
FoMoCo never installed an exhaust pipe/muffler next to a fuel tank.
Engine code 4th digit of the VIN. 1968/76 F100/250 4WD: A = 240 I-6 (1968/74) / B = 300 I-6 / Y = 360 2V.
FoMoCo did not offer dual exhausts for any truck until the Lightning model came out in the late 1990's.
Lightning: The left inlet pipe crosses over to the right side where the muffler is located, then both pipes exit out the right (passenger) side.
FoMoCo never installed an exhaust pipe/muffler next to a fuel tank.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ohio
I would stick with manifolds. If they are in good enough shape that they are sealing on the heads(typically this is where they fail), then you won't have to worry about them rusting to pieces just sitting for months on end. Headers will fall apart over time(unless you spend money and get coated versions). That and getting pipes bent to fit around everything. Yada, yada, yada.
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wow, thanks guys I am looking into all of it. I still have the Original Exhaust Manifolds and they are in good shape, although getting them off to replace the gaskets was another story, every single bolt broke off in the heads, tried PB blaster, tried heat, didn't matter. So I am in the process of pulling the heads and will need to see if I can use and easy out to get those out.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
IIRC, Rockauto.com offers the stock Y-pipe for relatively cheap... a single 2.5-inch system and decent muffler is doable... Summit, Jegs, and Speedway all sell exhaust tubing by the piece.. U-bends, J-bends, 45s, and straight tubing. I figure the back half can be done for less than $100.. and that's with a muffler.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
Jeff, you wouldn't happen to live in the Kootenai valley do you? if so, i have a dual exhaust setup you can have for the taking.
It's about 5' of 2.5" pipe into 2 mufflers and another 2' of pipe with a 45 degree bend that exits at the rear tires.
It's nothing worth driving long distance for but if you're relatively local you can't beat free.
Just lemme know...
It's about 5' of 2.5" pipe into 2 mufflers and another 2' of pipe with a 45 degree bend that exits at the rear tires.
It's nothing worth driving long distance for but if you're relatively local you can't beat free.
Just lemme know...
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
It's not you, FTE was having data base problems. System shut down, everyone signed off at the same time.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Big, Oregon
The pipe from the muffler back was the same shape from the late 60s through the late 90s, I have a 3" Banks pipe for an 88 under my 69 now. I had to drop it a bit to clear the gooseneck I put in, but it still fits and looks decently right. Any shop that does "computerized bending" like Meineke will be able to make one from any size pipe without an issue and without even needing your truck there. Usually it'll cost less than $60, you will probably have to trim the end of the pipe flush with the side of the truck though.
The Y-pipe is still made by Walker, so add in your favorite muffler ( I have run knock-off Flowmasters I got from Napa for $40 with great results), a piece of pipe 18" or so long, and you'll have a whole system for under $200 that looks professionally done.
The Y-pipe is still made by Walker, so add in your favorite muffler ( I have run knock-off Flowmasters I got from Napa for $40 with great results), a piece of pipe 18" or so long, and you'll have a whole system for under $200 that looks professionally done.
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