Looking for some advice....

[Nabco]

So I have my engine compartment looking really nice, the only area that looks a little off is the muffler clamp....see pic.

For some reason my father-in-law packed a bunch of sealer around the connection, not sure why. My question is am I going to open a can of worms if I remove the sealer and put on a new clamp.....right now it seems to be well sealed, it runs quiet with no leaks.

I'm probably better off just leaving it alone but thought I would ask.

Thanks

Nick

[Steve Plucker]

If you are happy with the "looks", then leave it...BUT if it were me, and a few others I might add, and you want it to look really, really nice, then I would just take some time and clean it up and get rid of those pesky "worms"!!! Remove the manifold to or just clean it up on the engine. I think you would be much more happy then.

Pluck

[DJ S]

I personally would leave it... Although it is an eye sore, there's a reason behind most things.

[Nabco]

Thanks guys...

Most of me goes along with what Steve said, I know I'd be much happier if it looked better.....that said part of me got along with what DJ said, I'm guessing my father-in-law put it there for a reason but n the other hand he often did things to be on the safe side.

If I do decide to mess with it, besides a new clamp, and it sounds like Snyder's has a good one, is there anything else I should buy.

[1930artdeco]

Nope it is just the clamp, manifold and muffler. That is all that is there.

Mike

[Nabco]

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Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

Nope it is just the clamp, manifold and muffler. That is all that is there.

Mike

Thank you Mike

[DJ S]

Well, it all depends and you won't know what you're dealing with until you pull it apart. For all you know, the flange on the muffler could be all mangled and you may need to rework the flange or need to purchase an entirely new muffler. For starters I would purchase a new muffler clamp from brattons, an exhaust sleeve, and new brass nuts and bolts.

[Nabco]

Originally Posted by DJ S

Well, it all depends and you won't know what you're dealing with until you pull it apart. For all you know, the flange on the muffler could be all mangled and you may need to rework the flange or need to purchase an entirely new muffler. For starters I would purchase a new muffler clamp from brattons, an exhaust sleeve, and new brass nuts and bolts.

Thank you DJ....

[Brentwood Bob]

I would hold off buying parts until you see what you have.

[Big hammer]

That mess of worms maybe asbestes! I would remove it wet with water and outdoors!

[bunnyc]

Originally Posted by dj s

i personally would leave it... Although it is an eye sore, there's a reason behind most things.

^x2

[ronn]

I would cut it off- looks ugly as sin!

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by ronn

I would cut it off- looks ugly as sin!

Ronn Ya think

My ass would be buying a new exhaust porcelain coated, and intake manifolds, copper manifold gasket, new studs and nuts / washers, pc'ed exhaust/ pipe clamp, insert pipe and a muffler assy if need be . But DAD sends me lots of $$ each month also
SAsooonoout

[mshmodela]

If you feel it's an eye sore go for it... I happen loose a but on my clamp the other day and for about $20 (includes shipping) you can have it the way you want.. Besides, as I discovered on mine it was a leak point...

[glenn in camino]

I use a coat of sealer on the muffler flange, a sleeve and a good clamp with proper bolts and brass nuts. Skip the copper gasket. They don't work for long.

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by glenn in camino

I use a coat of sealer on the muffler flange, a sleeve and a good clamp with proper bolts and brass nuts. Skip the copper gasket. They don't work for long.

Times 2!

[Steve Wastler]

It may be just that I'm viewing on my phone, but it appears your exhaust manifold has at least one hole in it above the clamp....

[heneste]

I agree with Steve Wastler, it looks like you're missing quite a bit of the clamp material and possibly some of the lower end of the manifold. Do you know if the lower end of the manifold has a good surface? If you open it up, you may either be patching or replacing the manifold if that surface is bad.

[Nabco]

Originally Posted by heneste

I agree with Steve Wastler, it looks like you're missing quite a bit of the clamp material and possibly some of the lower end of the manifold. Do you know if the lower end of the manifold has a good surface? If you open it up, you may either be patching or replacing the manifold if that surface is bad.

Thanks guys just went out and checked, definitely no holes, it's solid, I do think if I just tapped on the dried sealant that is on there it would probably just fall off. One of my concerns is if I do clean off the sealant there is something wrong under it and that's why my father-in-law used the sealant....I've been really enjoying the car this summer, driving her almost every day and she's running great, I don't want to get into something I can't easily get resolved and miss out on driving her.

[1crosscut]

Personally I would open it up and see just what the deal is with the "repair".
It's possible the fix is not going to be as simple as pulling it apart, cleaning it up and putting it back together. But... it just might be.
Lining up the muffler to the exhaust manifold can be a bit of a challenge especially when doing it solo. It is possible that your father in law just got frustrated trying to get it together and ended up slathering it up with a sealer. That would be the best discovery I would think.
It could be that the flange on the muffler is rusted, bent or missing some of it. In that case you can if your handy with a welder patch it up and make it work... for a while.
When you do get it sorted out and go to put the muffler back together use a floor jack to hold the muffler lightly against the manifold in order to allow you to get things lined up just right. Loosening the tail pipe clamp first will help in getting things lined up. After you get it lined up carefully lower the floor jack just enough to put a light bead of muffler sealant on the female flange of the muffler and jack it back into place against the manifold. Then put on your muffler clamp. Remember there is an up and a down on the clamp.
Having a second person to help line things up is a definite plus in doing this.
Taking the time to get it lined up perfectly is key in getting a long lasting seal.