Straight pipes?

[Talkwrench]

Maybe this is for the HAMB but anyone running no mufflers?
I have REDS headers and 22" smithys glass packs but hardly a sound !
I would like that great flathead sound.. Straight pipes too loud ??

[KansasV8]

Is there any other way to run a Flathead?

My first ever drive alone was our 1 ton 39 pickup with the 85 and straight pipes. Still have the truck and she has always been straight piped. sure sounded good pulling the hill after the river bridge south of town.

The two 34 1 1/2 ton trucks I am restoring right now will be straight piped also.

[Brendan]

http://youtu.be/7gPK0ieTfDg

check out the video. its of my 36 Pickup, I got reds headers and duel exhaust, no mufflers. it is not that loud, I have heard Harleys a lot louder.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by KansasV8

Is there any other way to run a Flathead?

My first ever drive alone was our 1 ton 39 pickup with the 85 and straight pipes. Still have the truck and she has always been straight piped. sure sounded good pulling the hill after the river bridge south of town.

The two 34 1 1/2 ton trucks I am restoring right now will be straight piped also.

yup, I love the sound of my pickup, pulling hard up a grade ,it is music to my ears, the Eight symphony of Henry!

[swedishsteel]

Your engine components/build make a big difference in sound. I have a '36 Sedan with a '21 stud, 3/4 cam, single carb, with Reds headers and Smithy's. I tried straight pipes but it was just plain loud, and not a good loud, kind of like a tractor with no muffler. With the Smithy's it is much louder than my brother in laws 47 coupe with stock 24 stud and same exhaust. I'm just finishing a '36 coupe with 21 stud bored to 234 cu in, Eddie Meyer heads, Eddie Meyer high rise intake with 2 97's, Potvin Super 3/4 cam, Red's Headers and Porter exhaust---deep rumble, bumpity, bump idle, sounds like a much bigger engine. Each engine will sound a little different--that's half the fun! Rod

[Step-down]

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My 56' Merc Y- Block straight out the back sorry not a Flatty ....but sounds sweet...

[flat-v8]

I just took my steel packs off, they sounded pretty good, just too quiet, made up some straight pipe with welded reducers, sounds great! Sold the steel pack mufflers.

[Talkwrench]

I have the 22" smithys on my Yblock and its spot on ! Does sound like a diesel boat cruisin at 65 ....
Hoping wont be too loud on the flattie.. The vid was getting up there sound wise..damn nice tho'.

[Jack E/NJ]

Cast iron black pipe here, plumbed all the way back with assorted elbows, unions & never-seez.

Jack E/NJ

[ken ct]

My coupe has them for at least 10 yrs and is not as loud as your truck,using stock exhaust manifolds and small stock pipes. Whats all the smoke [steam ??] from the pipes. ken ct.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by ken ct

My coupe has them for at least 10 yrs and is not as loud as your truck,using stock exhaust manifolds and small stock pipes. Whats all the smoke [steam ??] from the pipes. ken ct.

it was a cold foggy morning, lots of moisture in the air and the old truck was worming up

[Bob G/Spanaway]

I put Red's headers and Smittys on my '40 coupe.
Sounded like an old lady's car! Too quiet.
Ken Ct said to get rid of the mufflers.
I did and have never looked back.Love that sound.

[Straightpipes]

HA, NEVER ANY MUFFLERS, HA

two pieces of 1 1/2 conduit all the way back.

[flat-v8]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=OHYGJwogPWc

59A, Fenton headers, dual straight pipes! Not too loud just right!

[Talkwrench]

Oh Yeah !

[Bassman/NZ]

I have dual 22" Smithys and it sounds perfect to me. I have them as far to the rear as I can get them.

[blucar]

An old saying... "Different strokes, for different folks" I gave up on steel pack mufflers, i.e., Smitty's/Douglas.. many years ago in favor of two stock type mufflers with 2" pipes all the way to the bumper..
On an idle, the cam overlap can be heard with an every so slight rumble in the pipes, upon acceleration.... the silence is golden..
I gave up on loud exhaust systems about the time I passed from the teen years, got tired of being chased down by the cops.. The loud pipes gave the cops "cause" to stop me, then one thing lead to another.. Which can ruin an afternoon, or evening..

[ole39]

8ba, 400jr, fenton headers, 1 3/4 pipes, no mufflers, how sweet it is!

[pineapple]

I think pipe diameter and length have a bit to do with the sound. I have stock manifolds with 1.5 dia. pipe all the way to the bumper on my f1. It has a mellow burble at idle and real nice bark when you get on it.

[Ol' Ron]

The smaller the pipe the higher the velocity of the exhaust, and yes a nice cam like the L-100 makes a big difference.

[296 V8]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Cast iron black pipe here, plumbed all the way back with assorted elbows, unions & never-seez.

Jack E/NJ

[bgarrett]

Originally Posted by Step-down

My 56' Merc Y- Block straight out the back sorry not a Flatty ....but sounds sweet...

I have straight pipes on my 59 292. It had a little too much sharp edge so I made some 5" baffles and stuck in the end of the pipes. Its just as loud but a softer tone. Straight pipes make music!

[Ghost of elmirage]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

The smaller the pipe the higher the velocity of the exhaust, and yes a nice cam like the L-100 makes a big difference.

OL Ron how small a pipe do you mean exactly? 2 inch ID ? Or smaller?

[Ghost of elmirage]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Cast iron black pipe here, plumbed all the way back with assorted elbows, unions & never-seez.

Jack E/NJ

What do you mean by black pipe? Like for natural gas plumbing in buildings? And if so what the hell does that weigh?

[Ol' Ron]

I would say 1 1/2" would work fine for a stock or near stock engine. Another thing is higher compression, that will make a bark.
In highschool I had a 33 Chebby with a black iron pipe exhaust, my Dad was a plumber.

[Ghost of elmirage]

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Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

I would say 1 1/2" would work fine for a stock or near stock engine. Another thing is higher compression, that will make a bark.
In highschool I had a 33 Chebby with a black iron pipe exhaust, my Dad was a plumber.

That iron pipe must weigh a ton!

[Tinker]

I agree with the 1.5 or 1.75 pipe statements. I will try to get some video of the difference in sound between them. I think it also depends on your manifolds as well.

36. I'm running stock manifolds, 2into1, 1.75, glasspac, all the wayout to the back. Sounds great, I would suspect just straights would be just a bit louder as the glasspacs don't do a lot really.

38. Cast iron Fentons, duals, 2" pipe, dropped before the rear wheels. LOUD, way to loud for comfortable driving. To me, it gets annoying fast.

So if you go straights, I'd suggest 1.5 or 1.75 all the way out to the back.

[Ghost of elmirage]

[QUOTE=Tinker;600842]I agree with the 1.5 or 1.75 pipe statements. I will try to get some video of the difference in sound between them. I think it also depends on your manifolds as well.

36. I'm running stock manifolds, 2into1, 1.75, glasspac, all the wayout to the back. Sounds great, I would suspect just straights would be just a bit louder as the glasspacs don't do a lot really.


Tinker why are you running 2 into 1 instead straight dual exhaust? And do any of you guys use any sort of equalizer pipe in the center of your duals?

[Tinker]

Here is my truck. I do have 4" harley baffles in the end of the pipe too. To each their own, but it's too loud, fun sometimes, but loud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFA3...t=HL1361978954

[Tinker]

The 36 is a stock motor and I just wants a little more sound out of the decent stock exhaust system I already had. So I had from the canister muffler back replaced. Not a huge difference at idle, but a little more punch (sound wise) when you get on it. I'll try and take some video at lunch today.

[Ghost of elmirage]

Originally Posted by Tinker

The 36 is a stock motor and I just wants a little more sound out of the decent stock exhaust system I already had. So I had from the canister muffler back replaced. Not a huge difference at idle, but a little more punch (sound wise) when you get on it. I'll try and take some video at lunch today.

Yeah now I getcha . Flatties sound awesome no matter how ya runnem I think.And YES loud is not always good. I swapped bikes one day with my buddy who had a really loud HD half hour later I was all done with that crap

[Tinker]

I love the sound of the truck at idle, the days of being heard driving 4 blocks away are over for me :]... well in a street car anyways.

[Ghost of elmirage]

Me too Tink! lol I wish those days end for my son too......soon enough I guess

[Tinker]

ha ha.

My 36 video. I think it sounds decent :]. Raspy sounding, no drone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7iu-...ature=youtu.be

note: The videos sound fairly similar in volume between the 36 & 38. I had the camera less then 2' from the 36 exhaust, and around 7' from the 38. The 38 is definitely at least twice as loud in person.

[Ghost of elmirage]

sounds like it means business........... Well back to remedicate I gotts the flu talk to yall ladah

[blucar]

I learned a long time ago that loud, "open exhausts" don't actually make a vehicle run better.. In fact, the fuel mileage can actually be lower because the driver has his foot stuck in it all the time, so he can enjoy the "hay look at me" factor..
I forgot to make mention in my earlier posting that my manifolds are stock '36, log style. The 2" head and tail pipes were custom bent by a local muffler man..
My 59 AB engine is over bored .60, has a Weber F1 cam and 9.5/1 compression using 59AB heads that have been extensively modified.. Many years ago I had Offy heads on the engine, went they went to he** I had the stock type heads built for the engine..
As mentioned by other contributors to this thread, the smaller the exhaust pipes, the sharper the tone, i.e., a cracking, raspy pitch, in lieu of a deeper rumble..
During the last several years it has been found that the larger the exhaust pipe (s), the better the engine performs. I had 3" pipes put on my pickup with a chambered truck muffler, improved my fuel mileage by 3. mpg.. No offensive sound was created.. A friend of mine put 3" pipes on his pickup with no muffler.. His mileage went down.. When the truck went by my house it sounded terrible... He did gain the "look at me factor"... Spent $350. for nothing..

[Jack E/NJ]

mirage>>>What do you mean by black pipe? Like for natural gas plumbing in buildings? And if so what the hell does that weigh? >>>That iron pipe must weigh a ton! >>>


Nah. 1-1/2" diameter gas pipe is less than 3-lbs per foot. Throw in a few pounds worth of elbows & unions and it's still not much. I suppose if you thought your flathead might sound and breathe better with 4" thickwall sewer pipe, that might get you up a quarter ton or so. 8^)

Jack E/NJ

[Wingfield]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

mirage>>>What do you mean by black pipe? Like for natural gas plumbing in buildings? And if so what the hell does that weigh? >>>That iron pipe must weigh a ton! >>>


Nah. 1-1/2" diameter gas pipe is less than 3-lbs per foot. Throw in a few pounds worth of elbows & unions and it's still not much. I suppose if you thought your flathead might sound and breathe better with 4" thickwall sewer pipe, that might get you up a quarter ton or so. 8^)

Jack E/NJ

I'm a plumber and I'd like to see pictures of that.

[Ghost of elmirage]

Originally Posted by Wingfield

I'm a plumber and I'd like to see pictures of that.

Excellent idea! Can we see some pix of that gas pipe exhaust please Jack?

[3340]

I Am Taking The Smittys Of My Flathead Roadster, Just To Quiet With Them

[Jack E/NJ]

mirage>>>Can we see some pix of that gas pipe exhaust please Jack? >>>

Yup. Will do. I gotta new digicamera I've been wanting to test out.

Jack E/NJ

[41LjH]

8BA in my 41 PU. Isky Max1, Offy heads & intake. Holley 390 and Red's with 12" JONES glass packs. No tail pipes yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52IpQIFBLIA

[Straightpipes]

I have two lengths of 1 1/2 conduit which I welded a flange on to connect to the header with a slight bend for alignment. Neatly done and been on there for close to 10 years. Not loud, passes inspection.
I had a couple of footlong brass pipes on the ends. That really rings nice.

Flatheads are pretty quiet anyway, I like to hear all the efforts of my labor.

[Ghost of elmirage]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

mirage>>>Can we see some pix of that gas pipe exhaust please Jack? >>>

Yup. Will do. I gotta new digicamera I've been wanting to test out.

Jack E/NJ

Thanx Jack cant wait!

[Seth Swoboda]

[QUOTE=Ghost of elmirage;600849]

Originally Posted by Tinker

I agree with the 1.5 or 1.75 pipe statements. I will try to get some video of the difference in sound between them. I think it also depends on your manifolds as well.

36. I'm running stock manifolds, 2into1, 1.75, glasspac, all the wayout to the back. Sounds great, I would suspect just straights would be just a bit louder as the glasspacs don't do a lot really.


Tinker why are you running 2 into 1 instead straight dual exhaust? And do any of you guys use any sort of equalizer pipe in the center of your duals?

You don't need an H or X pipe on a dual exhaust set up for a flathead V8. I was told by a professional custom exhaust man that the H pipe is best used on GM small block V8's and X pipe used on Ford small block V8's. This guy has done all of my custom exhaust work an he installed an X pipe on my mustang (289 with headers).

On our flatheads we run reds headers with dual exhaust and the short Brockman Mellow Tones, no H or X pipe needed.

[T_Bird Guy]

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My 1947 Ford with a 59AB flathead running a mild cam, I have Red's Headers with 2 inch pipe and small Walker glass packs. Then to give it a nice sound I had larger pipe put on right after the rear axle as exhaust tips. It gives the flathead a nice rumble sound.

[flat-v8]

Originally Posted by 41LjH

8BA in my 41 PU. Isky Max1, Offy heads & intake. Holley 390 and Red's with 12" JONES glass packs. No tail pipes yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52IpQIFBLIA

Now that engine sounds Great! Looks good too

[Jack E/NJ]

As requested, the attached PDF shows cast iron black pipe exhaust front to rear on a 38 standard. Crossover first plumbed for a 265 in 1960. Then replumbed for the original 221 two years ago. Same pipe, unions & elbows for over 50 years. Don't forget the never-seez if you go this route or disassembly will be tough. 8^)

Jack E/NJ

[jhaas63]

I recently ordered some Reds long tube headers for my 53 f100. I plan to do straight pipes with no mufflers...pretty excited.

[49r]

In the 60's I remember my father ran straight pipes in his V8 Pilot with 1 inch tailpipes - us kids thought that was great! In the 70's I didn't find any noticeable sound difference in moving glass pack mufflers from under the cab of my F1 to the rear ... so I rammed a pipe down the middle of each with 2 inch pipes and to my teenage ears that sounded better. Later on I attached a Y block to the same exhaust system, but that made a heck of a racket and got me into trouble - interesting how noisy overheads are in comparison. The best sound I achieved was glass pack mufflers and 4 foot lengths of 3 1/2 inch diameter tailpipe - a very nice bass rumble. For 10 years after that I listened to the chuff chuff of a stock single pipe system and now am back to twin pipes and mufflers. Haven't got the sound right yet though - I guess tastes in music change over time ...

[Rock Hornbuckle]

None of my flaties have ever had mufflers. No sweeter sound than a flathead Ford V8.

[Wingfield]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

As requested, the attached PDF shows cast iron black pipe exhaust front to rear on a 38 standard. Crossover first plumbed for a 265 in 1960. Then replumbed for the original 221 two years ago. Same pipe, unions & elbows for over 50 years. Don't forget the never-seez if you go this route or disassembly will be tough. 8^)

Jack E/NJ

Wow!
thanks

[ctaulbert]

I just finished up the exhaust on my '40. It's 2" tube, without mufflers with Fenton headers up front. The engine is a 284 with a Winfield SU-1A cam. The car may sound a little loud on the outside, but it's actually quiet inside since the exhaust runs all the way to the tailpan:

http://youtu.be/KHPjxj-JZXo

[Ghost of elmirage]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

As requested, the attached PDF shows cast iron black pipe exhaust front to rear on a 38 standard. Crossover first plumbed for a 265 in 1960. Then replumbed for the original 221 two years ago. Same pipe, unions & elbows for over 50 years. Don't forget the never-seez if you go this route or disassembly will be tough. 8^)

Jack E/NJ

NICE! Look spretty inexpensive too

[Tinker]

Great videos and nice vehicles/flatheads! It's interesting the differences in small changes (in the exhaust) make on the sounds. Would be nice to hear some rev'ed up.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by ctaulbert

The car may sound a little loud on the outside, but it's actually quiet inside since the exhaust runs all the way to the tailpan:

I think that probably makes all the difference in the world. My 38 dumps right off the cab towards cars next to me, and I don't have any sound deadening material in the truck (rough bare bones truck). The pipes are only 4' tops. Think I'll try it with 1.75 out to the back next.

[Ghost of elmirage]

Originally Posted by Tinker

Great videos and nice vehicles/flatheads! It's interesting the differences in small changes (in the exhaust) make on the sounds. Would be nice to hear some rev'ed up.

Tink I don't know how to post a Youtube video yet but got to Youtube and put this in the search block.
MUST HEAR engine sound Pre War Nitro burning flathead 1932 AV8 Ford

[Tinker]

Yeah, I've seen that one before. Sounds like a fun car to rocket around in. My tinnitus wouldn't be too happy, i'd have to wear some earplugs, but I'd drive that in a heartbeat! :]'

[Tinker]

I'll link it here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLFTO...2D44E7AA8A1282

[Rigley]

I've read a lot of comments and opinions on exhaust systems, mufflers etc, but no one mentioned Brockman mufflers. Are they still being manufactured?

[Talkwrench]

Update.
The exhaust guy said" I did one if these the other day with no mufflers a 2" exhaust made no sound" I assured him there would a difference taking the 22" smithys out with my 1 3/4" system. Yup sur' Nuff' .. Ohh is on the loud side .
Barks and clatters .. Whenever I start it I look around thinking wtf is that !
I go through roundabouts and usually don't change down, just pull away under load sounds like a big ol' diesel truck haha ...

[Lawson Cox]

Originally Posted by Brendan

it was a cold foggy morning, lots of moisture in the air and the old truck was worming up

SO, that explains it. At first I thought you may be fogging for insects. lol

Keep the smitties, straight pipes, glass packs etc. I prefer a simple gutted muffler on a flat head.

[Strick]

Originally Posted by Rigley

I've read a lot of comments and opinions on exhaust systems, mufflers etc, but no one mentioned Brockman mufflers. Are they still being manufactured?

Yes they are. Can't go wrong with Brockman Mellotone Steelpack mufflers.

[Henry/Kokomo]

Just bought a pair of Brockmans for my '46. Nice tone.

[42merc]

I have Reds headers & Brockman glasspacks on my '40. With a stock '50 merc in it, had a great mellow sound. Just installed a built '50 merc with 400 jr, 2 carbs, heads & blocked heat risers. lots of exhaust noise, probably double. More motor= more noise.

[Kahuna]

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Two cars:
Stock flathead in a 39 Ford coupe, stock iron manifolds, 24" Cherry Bombs, Very quiet at idle, low mellow tone when driving.
Highly modified flathead in a 32 Tudor, center dump headers, 24" Cherry Bombs, Very loud at idle, loud when driving.
Weird to me

[Bill in Al]

Original muffler gutted and 2" from manifold back on a Model A and no-one wanted to follow me! Sounded good to me inside! 30" steelpac softened it enough.