Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

What is the finish of the muffler to the exhaust manifold clamp? If it is unfinished, does MARC allow a gray or black paint for preservation like mufflers?

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

Dipped Black Enamel-Outlet pipe bracket: No,unfinished

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

And don't over tighten when installing it, need to a sliding fit to the tail pipe to allow for expansion and contraction in the system.

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

It was Un-Finished with Brass Nuts, No lock washers, & you DO want it Tight !!

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

So MARC doesn't allow you to have any finish on it?

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

Chris:
Here is what the Restoration Guidelines, Area 5-Exhaust says:

"In the interest of preservation, a heat resistant black, natural, or gray paint may be used on the exhaust manifold, mounting clamps, muffler inlet clamps, and muffler assembly."

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

Thanks, I have an older version of the JS that I have been meaning to update but haven't quite gotten around to it...

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

that is the 1989version; The 2016 states that All clamps and clamping washers were unfinished? Is that how I read it? Under Manifold mounting studs and clamps Page 5-3 Revised 2016. Also under section 1-18- Clamps-U= unfinished 2016.

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

Another good question while we are on the subject: does MARC allow muffler cement/sealant on the flanges?

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

No, Gary, you are not reading it wrong, but you are not reading it right either because you are only reading part of Area 5. Read it all from the first paragraph.

The very first paragraph of the 2016 Rev. of the Restoration Guidelines, Area 5, begins with the words that are quoted by Bill Cilker above. You can put a heat-proof paint finish on the exhaust manifold, mounting clamps and muffler inlet clamps, if you want to, to help preserve it (not have it rust).

The later body text of the Restoration Guidelines documents what the finish was when these parts left the factory, unfinished, but IN THE INTEREST OF PRESERVATION (first paragraph) a black, natural or grey protective finish may be applied.

HTH.

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

MARC does not "allow" or "disallow" anything.

It's your car, you are allowed to do anything you want to it. Many of us strive to rebuild and restore our cars as closely as we can to the way they were originally built, to the best of our abilities and to extent our budgets will allow. :eek:

The authors of the Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards (RG&JS), dedicated members of both MARC and MAFCA, have spent thousands of hours of research to give us their best, document case for how the cars were originally built. They are not infallible, but are pretty darn good -- really good. If you don't have a copy of the RG&JS, I recommend you get one and read it. :)

So the only person who decides what is allowed on your car is you. You get to choose how closely you want to adhere to the RG&JS or not. For some of us, close adherence is a goal; for others, it is not. I encourage everyone to make their decisions from a position of knowledge and understanding by consulting the RG&JS first, and then do what you want to do. :)

To answer your question, if you applied a thin film of muffler sealant on the flange and then assembled, and no one could see that it was there, then who would know and who would care? If an excessive amount was applied and it squeezed out and was clearly a mess, then I would expect some point deduction in Fine Point Judging, because it's about both authenticity and craftsmanship. ;)

The most important thing is to Have Fun with your Model A! However you define Fun is what's important, not how others define Fun. :cool:

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

I think you are confusing the clamp that he asks about, joining exhaust manifold and muffler, with the tail pipe hanger on the rear portion of the tail pipe, behind the muffler. You do want the clamp tight. The hanger in the rear is designed to only tighter so far and then still allow for some movement.

If you use a stainless steel muffler, instead of the original mild steel, they expand more with heat and they need the larger, loose-fitting hanger on the tail pipe with a heat-resistant woven liner to allow the pipe to slide but not rattle.

YMMV.

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

Would not be a first!:)

Re: Muffler Clamp Finish?
 

I see it. Thanks Jim, the very first Paragraph!