Running my 62 with no exhaust pipes

[Toy4Hal]

Opinions, please!

I'm about to replace the complete exhaust on my 62. I'm removing headers and replacing them with the old fashion "ram horn" exhaust manifolds. I have the 2 1/2" manifolds.
My plan is to do all the "simple" work at home: Replace the headers, install the manifolds, re-mount the generator, re-mount the expanison tank, etc. When that's done the old exhaust pipes will not match up to the new manifolds.

At this point I will need to get the car to the exhaust place to have them do all the "under car" work. The exhaust place is about 10 city miles away. Ignoring the noise aspect, can I drive the car with just the ram horn manifolds without doing any damage to the engine?

My motor is a carburated 327/340ish HP with the large valves heads.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Hal.

 

[jerrybramlett]

It won't hurt your engine's internal parts, but...

I'm pretty sure you would damage the wiring to the starter solenoid. You might also overheat your battery unless the heat shield is in place.

The exhaust installer is probably going to make up your new pipes in a bender according to a pattern card. You could pay them to go ahead and make the forward pipes in advance. You could then install those at home along with downward heat deflectors on the ends. It wouldn't cut the noise at all, but it would keep the excessive heat out of the engine compartment.

 

[67l36driver]

Check the local muffler shop's trash bin for a couple of used 2 1/2" head pipes. Drag them home and cut them to 8-10 in long and install so exit clears starter/fuel line on right side and steering box on left.

10 miles is about 8 miles farther than I would drive running out the bare manifold.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Good advice above.

And, 67l36driver, welcome to CAC.

 

[vintagecorvette]

Pay the $40 and have it towed. No exhasut you risk doing too much damage to the car and your ears.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Pay the $40 and have it towed. No exhasut you risk doing too much damage to the car and your ears.

I could not agrre more,But my choice would be a flatbed service meet him out the house ,help him load it,meet him at the muffler shop and help him unload it,

All though it sounds like fun to drive it.theres just no reason to do it,

 

[Subfixer]

The actual reason not to drive the car without pipes is that while the car is running, the exhaust valves get very hot (duh...). Between exhaust pulses, cold air can back up to the exhaust valves (reversion) and there is a possibility that the valves will warp due to the sudden temperature change. This could damage the valves as well as the seats. This could be an old wives' tale, but it would be safer to tow the car to the shop or get short pipes.

 

[Toy4Hal]

Good information and comments. I was most concerned about the valves but the comments about things like battery, starter, etc. were also enlightening! Need to open my brain a little.

Hal

 

[67l36driver]

Subfixer.

Thats exactly what it is, an old wives tale. I have run several engines out the ports without any problems. Exhaust valve head runs at what? 1400* F? Just shutting off the engine would cause warpage if that was the case. Back in the early '70 we ran a '57 Chev hobby car with zoomies (10"-12" long) with no ill effects while some other crews would quickly cover/plug theirs after a heat race.

 

[Subfixer]

Agree it's probably a wives tale, but some impressions die hard. I've run a couple without pipes for short periods of time, but something in my brain still tells me it's risky... I'm probably getting as old as the wives' tale itself.....:L

 

[Ken Anderson]

Why don't you just order the complete exhaust from Corvette Central? They make the best fitting exhaust out there and it's probably competitive w/the local muffler shop.

 

[vettefinderjim]

or Allan Exhaust

Try www.allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com

they have correct #441 off road muffler systems as well. About $400 from head pipe to tail pipe. Don't forget the 'heat riser'

Then put the complete system into the trunk and drive it to the muffler shop and save the tow bill.