It seems that I am having problems completing projects due to lack of materials. (Dometic cannot seem to get me the right thermocouple for the refrigerator (old one does still work, but the end is burnt off), no one has parts for the plumbing of the central vacuum, I need a new two to one tail light module for LEDs (there is a difference)).
No one stocks stuff any more, everything has to be ordered.
We are leaving next week for the finial NDRL race of the season and I do not want the exhaust blowing back on the rear valance. A temporary repair was needed so this is what I did.
This is what the tip coming out of the rear valance used to look like.
It was a four inch tip, and I'm thinking that when I do the finial repair it may get enlarged to a five inch tip.
On the way back from our last race the tip fell off, and it became apparent that the muffler extension pipe needed to be replaced.
If the tip is to be enlarged to a five inch tip the hole in the rear valance will also have to be enlarged. We will look into what needs to be done to do this and then make a decision as to if we will enlarge it of keep the original size. Your input on this topic is welcome.
So...the first thing that needs to happen is to get the old extension pipe out of the muffler without hurting the muffler.
The clamp is soaked with PB Blaster
The clamp came right off and I was able to reuse it for the temporary fix.
I cut the extension pipe off leaving about an inch sticking out of the muffler and with a air chisel started to knock the pipe inward on the inside of the outlet of the muffler.
I was able to get the cut off piece out of the outlet of the muffler without damage to the muffler!
So I have a model to make a new tail pipe extension from.
I went shopping and was not able to get the pieces necessary to fabricate a new tail pipe extension.
Cook Brothers has ordered all the pieces I will need (two four inch 90 degree bends, one five to four inch reduction, and one chrome tip).
The parts will not be here for a week and a half, and I have no obligation to buy them. The larger tip extension may still happen, and Gillig is still trying to fine the correct part from a vender.
As stated earlier, I have a trip next week so a temporary fix is needed. To that end one five inch 90 degree bend was purchased.
The temporary fix looks like this (I was able to save the new clamp for the finial fix and reuse the old clamp for this temporary fix).
Boy the Motor Home is dirty, I will stop at a Blue Bacon on the way to the race next week.
There is a HUGE difference in the sound, if you are standing by the exhaust the ground feels like it is vibrating. You can hear the difference in the Motor Home, but it is not bad. I do want it quite like it was. You would not think that just that rear pipe would make a difference, but it does.
