Is it feasible to construct a temporary exhaust system?

[robroy]

Good evening!

For many years my truck has been stored at my father's place in the mountains, with no neighbors anywhere around. This week I'll be moving my project (#50) to my house, which means that its rebirth will take place in my garage. I have neighbors on both sides--there's about 15-20 feet between my garage and the neighbor's house.

So I'll be firing up #50's new engine for the first time in this garage! With open headers.

I don't want my new neighbors to hate me already. And I can imagine that a hot 390 with open headers could make quite a sound indeed when fired up inside a garage (or anywhere, for that matter).

Is there any feasible way to construct a temporary exhaust system, just to keep the neighbors from calling 9-1-1 while I'm testing the new engine before the truck visits the exhaust shop? Perhaps by using some kind of flexible metal tubing that I can bend by hand? Or some ear muffs that I can shove over the header outlet ports?

Thanks very much!
Robroy

[fordman]

im sure there is a way. it woudl depend on the header exhaust end size and the size of muffler you will be using to quite the noise down.

[george worley]

Buy you a pair of header mufflers, they bolt up to the collector flange. You might even be able to use them later in your exhaust system.

[FLATBEDFORD]

Maybe you could just warn the neighbors or ask them if there is a better time to do it. Seems like a lot of trouble to run the truck once or twice.

[FLATBEDFORD]

I blew out one of the manifold to head pipe gaskets on my truck last week while hauling a cord of green firewood. It was LOUD! Back firing down a long hill was pretty fun too. It sounded real funny because only one side was open pipes. It had a Harley like miss sound. Luckily, I had it fixed in about 1/2 hour and $10 in parts.
I guess that if you want to run it a million times you might for your own sake get those header mufflers.

[robroy]

I guess that if you want to run it a million times you might for your own sake get those header mufflers.

Indeed! And thanks for the reminder about the sheer volume of these open pipes!

I've begun searching for header mufflers but haven't found quite what I'm looking for yet. I've seen these Flowmaster header mufflers:



But I think that's not quite what I'm looking for.

Does anybody happen to know of a make/model for the header mufflers that'll bolt up? I'm running Hedman headers on this 390.

Robroy

[Salty]

I wouldn't worry about the neighbors as long as you're not firing it up after 10:00 PM they can't really do anything. Even if the police are called, they won't do anything.

I dunno man, enemy neighbors suck. Especially the crazy ones. One of the bigger reasons for my last move was to get away from some nightmare neighbors. Long story short, 6 people, 7 cars, 2 bedroom, 1 car garage duplex. We rented one half, they (all 6 of them) rented the other (may I remind you, 2 bedrooms). They were loud and took up all the parking and always used our trashcan. When we complained, they took it personally and would do whatever it was we were complaining about twice as bad the next time just to get to us. Landlord didn't care, said we needed to work it out ourselves or take them to court.

[robroy]

Even though the neighbor's might not be able to do much about the noise, I don't want to bother them--they seem like really nice folks!

And I'm ultimately going to have an exhaust shop weld a whole exhaust system in, so a bolt-in system won't help me much. Maybe one of those devices that goes right on each header would be the best idea! I'm still searching for a specific model of device like that that'll work.

Thanks very much for all the excellent replies,
Robroy

[DuckRyder]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/IMM-87555/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/IMM-87553/

Header muffler (just examples)

I would not run it a great deal with open headers....

[QC]

If only they made fire-proof duct tape!

[robroy]

Hi Robert and QC, thanks for replying!

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/IMM-87555/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/IMM-87553/

Header muffler (just examples)

OK great, thank you! Those look like they might fit the bill just perfectly. Too bad Summit says that they won't ship those for a few weeks out (not in stock), but maybe I can find something similar in stock somewhere else.

I would not run it a great deal with open headers....

Do headers with those header mufflers installed count as open headers, or only headers that are truly "open?"

Is this because of potential damage to the exhaust ports in the heads? I've heard of this before but never understood it.

If only they made fire-proof duct tape!

Indeed! I just noticed recently that my electric dryer had been installed using duct tape in its outlet vent. Then I found out that duct tape is good to only around 200 degrees (not enough to contain a fire)!

Robroy

[fomocoguy]

When I put the headers on my crew I had the same problem. What I did was pick out the mufflers that I wanted to use and just slip them onto the collectors (if I remember correctly the mufflers slipped over them, but you could use a very short piece of pipe if the collector and the muffler are both O.D. size). Then I just ran a couple of self drilling 5/16 screws through to hold the mufflers on. I was able to run it and get it to the exhaust shop like that, and it was easy for them to get them back off. Of course it wasn't a tight seal and I could hear the leaks, but it was quiet enough to do what I needed. I just made sure they welded over the two small holes when they fabbed it up. Hope this helps!

[cep62]

As much as I like open headers , When firing a "new" engine it's nice to be able to hear any unwanted noises before they cause permanent damage.
I fired one up and had a valve clearance issue ,by the time I got it quieted down I wiped the cam out and that sent shavings through oil system. It wasn't pretty ,Total run time about 20 min.

Older and wiser .

[OldRedFord]

Far as I know open headers will not hurt anything. BUT are quite the cop magnet.

In stock.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BIG-50225FLT/


Some info I would like to add, when you go to have your exhaust system built, go with a "flow through" type muffler. The kind you can see down the middle.

[OldRedFord]

Here ya go Robroy, look like they bolt right to the headers.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BIG-5 ... mage=large