Tail pipe hitting rear rails, why?

[old31]

Any ideas why the muffler is hitting the right rear rail. It is wearing a pretty good flat spot on the tail pipe.

There are no markings on the muffler, so I don't know what brand it is.

[Marshall V. Daut]

Loosen the clamp nuts a little at the exhaust manifold flange and push the pipe towards the engine. It should sit approximately straight up and down in the middle of the splash pan cutout. That's what the cutout area is for. My bet is your pipe is leaning too close towards the outside, which will place the tailpipe in very close proximity to the rear radius rods = rubbing.
Be sure to tighten the exhaust clamp nuts again afterwards!
Marshall

[1955cj5]

There were two tail pipe clamps used....Based on your screen name I'm guessing your car is a 31...

But this one for a '29 may help...it holds the pipe further from the frame rail

https://www.brattons.com/28-march-29...nal-style.html

March '29 service bulletin #3 pg 327 also shows where a new hole was drilled for the tailpipe clamp..a little further back....

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

"Maybe" a little help from your local Muffler Shop???
Bill W.

[48fordnut]

Bill, this is cheaper.

[old31]

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I will try Marshalls idea first and if that doesn't work I will do 1955's 29 clamp.

Thanks.

[P.S.]

The rear muffler clamp is supposed to be on top of the frame rail, not below it. That will move the pipe up enough so it wont hit anymore.

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by P.S.

The rear muffler clamp is supposed to be on top of the frame rail, not below it. That will move the pipe up enough so it wont hit anymore.

Looks like it is on top the frame to me, look at the last picture.

Bob

[SeaSlugs]

It looks upside down...wait maybe not...

i dunno it should be pretty easy to figure out...

[old31]

The picture is deceiving.

Origially I had the clamp on the bottom, I thought maybe that was the reason for the hit. I then read in Les Andrews that it goes on top of the rail. I changed it, but it still hit.

Per Marshall I loosened the muffler clamp and tried pushing the muffler to the engine but I could not get enough movement.

I bought a 4' piece of flat stock for $5.50 and made my own longer clamp. That looks like it will do the trick. I cant test it yet, it has been raining for 40 days and 40 nights.

I will let you know what the out come is.

[H. L. Chauvin]

There is a term for describing a person who does this type of work often:

Pipe Fitter.

[BillLee/Chandler, TX]

I think Marshall's suggestion is correct:

Loosen the clamp at the frame in the rear.
Take the exhaust pipe loose from the manifold.
Put a long 2x2 into the open end of the pipe by the manifold and rotate the pipe/muffler. Probably CCW as you look at it from the front. This will rotate the entire exhaust pipe/muffler a bit and will move the pipe away from the radius rods at the rear.
Reattach the pipe to the manifold and tighten as necessary the rear clamp.