My '58 truck needs some work....

[2Loose]

Discussed this with Dynomax, they suggest using a balance tube, like an H or X pipe, to balance out the exhaust pulses and keep them from bouncing the "valve" open and shut at idle. Might be worth trying, but I gotta say that even if that works, and the "valve" stays closed at idle and slow cruising, when it's open it's still godamighty loud!!!
Willy

 

[2Loose]

Here's the latest from the Dynomax tech on this, I apparently ordered the wrong muffler....

" The #17157 VTs have the softer spring model for an under 4.0L engine. You would want the #17957 VTs for the over 4.0L engine. You will still need a balance tube to eliminate valve rattle. The VT muffler will have a mellow performance tone at idle and cruise with a loud aggressive deep throaty tone at wide open throttle."

Wish I'd known that when I bought the mufflers from Summit.

 

[2Loose]

Crawled under the truck and pulled out the Dynomax VT setup, those muffler cases are only 14" long, the Flowmaster 70's are 22" long, it will be a tight fit:

 

[2Loose]

My injured left hand still giving me problems, but I've been able to get a few things done on the '58....

The failed Dynomax VT's, next to the new Flowmaster 70's

Cutting the front pipes off the VT's and fitting to the reworked cutouts on the front:

Fitted to the inlet of the Flowmaster 70's:

The front hanger location is good, they were refitted with new bolts;
the rear hanger location was moved back to accomodate the longer
Flowmaster 70's:

They're getting real close to the rear springs, but I think I can make it work:

The support bracket is welded to the muffler, and double nutted for final positioning...
Once the final height is adjusted the excess bolt length will be cut off....
Some tight 3" 90 bends, and I'll have to trim the front of the slapper bars....

I'll have to add a slight angle up to clear the springs and still hit the cutout
for the exhaust in the truck's steps:

More Later.....
Willy

 

[Grumpy]

I'm sorry to hear the hands not completely healed yet, hands and ankles are rather complicated joints that are easily damaged ,
but difficult to get to heal back to 100% condition.
I know from experience that process of healing doesn't always get you back to 100% of original,
I busted my ankle and knee back in 2000 and those component functions are still not 100% restored by any means,
but there has been some improvements over the years, I've learned to deal with the pain that walking on them results in, fairly well.
as too the exhaust,that fabrication work looks like your doing a great job on the truck, especially if your limited in what you can do physically.
BTW great pictures! thanks for posting those it makes visualizing what your doing far easier.

 

[87vette81big]

Looking Great Willie !

 

[2Loose]

Yeah, about my hand, I wake up each morning and it is stiff as a board, can hardly move it, so have to go through a painful PT (physical therapy) session with my right hand bending, pushing, stretching, massaging my left hand until I can get some movement back. Strength is slowly coming back also, I just did not imagine it would take this long or this much effort. The surgeon who put my hand back together, says the scar tissue in there keeps making continuous effort to reconnect, particularly at night when I'm not using it, and I have to counter that by continually ripping that scar tissue apart again to keep it loose. He says it's a continuous process, and that if I keep it up faithfully, I'll probably be back to 90% by the end of the year. But boy, it is a painful and time consuming process, and I refuse to give up !!!

But I'm good enough to be back to driving my '55 chevy gasser around, that always puts a smile on my face....
I claim it's therapy for my hand (no power steering) !!!

Willy

 

[87vette81big]

The Supercharged Olds 425 Gasser '55 Chevy Souds Awesome Willie !

 

[2Loose]

Rode my Harley yesterday for the first time since I injured my hand. Was able to work the clutch for about an hours ride, good therapy, but I'm payin' for it today. Will keep at it, it's bound to improve.
A '55 gasser and a Harley for physical therapy, I'm a lucky guy!

 

[T-Test]

Rode my Harley yesterday for the first time since I injured my hand. Was able to work the clutch for about an hours ride, good therapy, but I'm payin' for it today. Will keep at it, it's bound to improve.
A '55 gasser and a Harley for physical therapy, I'm a lucky guy!

Still breathing too!! Alternative--BAD!! Thank your lucky stars.

 

[Raidmagic]

Yeah, about my hand, I wake up each morning and it is stiff as a board, can hardly move it, so have to go through a painful PT (physical therapy) session with my right hand bending, pushing, stretching, massaging my left hand until I can get some movement back. Strength is slowly coming back also, I just did not imagine it would take this long or this much effort. The surgeon who put my hand back together, says the scar tissue in there keeps making continuous effort to reconnect, particularly at night when I'm not using it, and I have to counter that by continually ripping that scar tissue apart again to keep it loose. He says it's a continuous process, and that if I keep it up faithfully, I'll probably be back to 90% by the end of the year. But boy, it is a painful and time consuming process, and I refuse to give up !!!

But I'm good enough to be back to driving my '55 chevy gasser around, that always puts a smile on my face....
I claim it's therapy for my hand (no power steering) !!!

Willy

I went through the same thing with my wrist surgery. That scar tissue grows fast. Looks like you have some killer roads to cruise on and enjoy.

 

[Indycars]

If you were the type to watch TV or play bingo, then you wouldn't get these injuries. But that
would be boring as hell!

 

[chromebumpers]

I had to sell my Road King with less than 2000 miles, it was just sitting there for a couple of years not driven. After my hip surgery my knees were gone and I no longer felt safe to try to get back on. I can't even imagine trying to dismount with bone on bone knees. I have a 69 Triumph I should be able to ride that, going to try this weekend to move it to our new place.

 

[2Loose]

I got a little more done, fitted and tack welded the final 90s and pipe extensions to clear the leaf springs, cut a little off the front of the slappers to clear the pipes, then pulled 'em out and final welded everything....

Then hung 'em in a tree and painted 'em with VHT rattle can flat black....

I'll give 'em a day to dry then bolt it all back together. I've had good luck with that rattle can VHT, I season 'em by doing a heat cycle a couple of times, just enough to get 'em to smoke each time, don't let 'em get too hot the first time.

Aloha,
Willy

 

[87vette81big]

I am going to follow your Tip Willie painting exhaust system parts with VHT HIGH TEMP CERAMIC FLAT BLACK PAINT .

I purchased new Walker exhaust parts for the wife's Honda CRV again.
The Catalytic converter back main pipe and rear bumper mounted muffler.
It was all new 2 years ago exact.
Illinois winter road salt ate them up already.

Have to replace he single 3" inch tailpipe on my Suburban too.
I will paint the new pipe VHT High temp exhaust ceramic also.

 

[2Loose]

Been running a remote vacuum brake booster system, using the oem master cylinder under the floor of my '58 pro street truck to actuate it, since 1998. Here's a schematic on that system:

Published some other info on the original brake system setup here if you are interested.

Did a rebuild on that system a couple of years ago, but having problems with it recently, and looking at installing an electric booster brake system from ABS.

Have had these parts on the shelf for awhile, so pulled them down and will be doing the install ASAP. Will post more as it goes along.

More info also posted here.

Aloha,
Willy

 

[2Loose]

Still having some hand problems, so this job hasn't started yet,
But I'll get there....
Aloha,
Willy