The Ford Barn

flash9376 · 09-10-2012, 01:29 AM

After restoring my A, I noticed the tail pipe seems high at lines up almost exactly with the rear axle and gets exhaust residue all over. Every car Ive seen has the tail pipe lower. The car was in pieces for a number of year, so its possible the pipe got bent but I dont know how much. I was wondering if anyone knew the distance from the ground to the tail pipe (where the exhaust comes out) or any other measurements that can help me straighten it out as I am having trouble finding any. Thank you.

Tom Wesenberg · 09-10-2012, 02:58 AM

Who's muffler is on the car? Is the tail pipe hanger installed with the loop UP, or is it DOWN?
I have seen some of the older budget mufflers that have the pipe exit too high as your's does.

Mike V. Florida · 09-10-2012, 03:06 AM

Sagging exhaust manifold will change the aggle as well.

Marco Tahtaras · 09-10-2012, 08:27 AM

The "cheap" mufflers which have been around longer than I have all had a problem with this for numerous reasons. For example the header pipe is typically bent too sharp so the rear tail pipe clamp is not at the center (high point) of the arch of the tail pipe. Additionally an incorrect or unsettled rear spring raises the frame (and rear of the tail pipe) higher than normal.

Put some miles on the car with a full load of passengers (or cargo in a pickup) and it should help settle the spring and improve things a bit.

Napa Skip · 09-10-2012, 09:01 AM

You asked for some measurements. Here they are from my somewhat-pretty-much-stock 1930 coupe with a reproduction muffler purchased in December 1980 from Snake River Antique Ford Parts in Idaho Falls, ID (distances are from the floor):

Bottom of tailpipe: 6-3/4"
Bottom of rear axle housing: 12-1/2"
Bottom of rear cross member: 19"

Other measurements:

Distance between top of tailpipe and bottom of rear axle housing: ~4-3/8"
Distance between end of tailpipe and centerline of rear axle housing: ~5-1/4"

I don't suggest that these are factory standard measurements, just what's on my car. Others may have different measurements.

flash9376 · 09-10-2012, 03:12 PM

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Thank napa, Thats just what i was looking for. I just want to add that irs the original tapered exhaust. My dads had the car for 45 years been in pieces for 35, looking at the exhaust off the car youcan tell its bent upward. The muffler ia installed correctly and adding wieghr to the car doesn't do anything.

columbiA · 09-11-2012, 12:44 AM

Measurements of my 30 coupe-floor to bottom of tailpipe-8",bottom of axle hsg 12 -1/2",bottom of rear X member 19-3/4".Cheap repro tapered muffler,taller Firestone tires.

mass A man · 09-11-2012, 01:04 AM

Insert a steel pipe of slightly smaller diameter into tail pipe while muffler is bolted to frame and "bend, baby, bend!"

09-10-2012, 01:29 AM	#1
flash9376 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 35	muffler question After restoring my A, I noticed the tail pipe seems high at lines up almost exactly with the rear axle and gets exhaust residue all over. Every car Ive seen has the tail pipe lower. The car was in pieces for a number of year, so its possible the pipe got bent but I dont know how much. I was wondering if anyone knew the distance from the ground to the tail pipe (where the exhaust comes out) or any other measurements that can help me straighten it out as I am having trouble finding any. Thank you.

09-10-2012, 02:58 AM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: muffler question Who's muffler is on the car? Is the tail pipe hanger installed with the loop UP, or is it DOWN? I have seen some of the older budget mufflers that have the pipe exit too high as your's does.

09-10-2012, 03:06 AM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: muffler question Sagging exhaust manifold will change the aggle as well. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

09-10-2012, 08:27 AM	#4
Marco Tahtaras Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,099	Re: muffler question The "cheap" mufflers which have been around longer than I have all had a problem with this for numerous reasons. For example the header pipe is typically bent too sharp so the rear tail pipe clamp is not at the center (high point) of the arch of the tail pipe. Additionally an incorrect or unsettled rear spring raises the frame (and rear of the tail pipe) higher than normal. Put some miles on the car with a full load of passengers (or cargo in a pickup) and it should help settle the spring and improve things a bit. __________________ http://www.abarnyard.com/

09-10-2012, 09:01 AM	#5
Napa Skip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Napa CA Posts: 412	Re: muffler question You asked for some measurements. Here they are from my somewhat-pretty-much-stock 1930 coupe with a reproduction muffler purchased in December 1980 from Snake River Antique Ford Parts in Idaho Falls, ID (distances are from the floor): Bottom of tailpipe: 6-3/4" Bottom of rear axle housing: 12-1/2" Bottom of rear cross member: 19" Other measurements: Distance between top of tailpipe and bottom of rear axle housing: ~4-3/8" Distance between end of tailpipe and centerline of rear axle housing: ~5-1/4" I don't suggest that these are factory standard measurements, just what's on my car. Others may have different measurements. __________________ Skip Keyser Napa Valley A's Olympic Vintage Auto Club (1980-1982) MARC of San Diego (1977-1978) MAFCA (since 1978) MARC (since 1977) ---------- Model A owners belong in their Model A’s; Model A’s belong on the road.

09-10-2012, 03:12 PM	#6
flash9376 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 35	Re: muffler question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thank napa, Thats just what i was looking for. I just want to add that irs the original tapered exhaust. My dads had the car for 45 years been in pieces for 35, looking at the exhaust off the car youcan tell its bent upward. The muffler ia installed correctly and adding wieghr to the car doesn't do anything.

09-11-2012, 12:44 AM	#7
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: muffler question Measurements of my 30 coupe-floor to bottom of tailpipe-8",bottom of axle hsg 12 -1/2",bottom of rear X member 19-3/4".Cheap repro tapered muffler,taller Firestone tires.

09-11-2012, 01:04 AM	#8
mass A man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Danvers, Ma. Posts: 712	Re: muffler question Insert a steel pipe of slightly smaller diameter into tail pipe while muffler is bolted to frame and "bend, baby, bend!"