Projects Giant speedster project

I like the Benz exhaust as well. In fact, because it is not flowing smoothly into a cone makes it all the more interesting. As stated, somewhat more rudimentary, simple, functional.


This is a very interesting build! Thank you for sharing.

 

i like the straight out pipes. but i think it will depend on the look of the body before deciding the pipes. sweet build i cant wait to see more

 

Very cool project.

Allan Tromblay Metalshaping did the body on Leno's car. He's retired now, and I bought some equipment from him.

Cool Pics of the frame with the Buck on the chassis.

 

For effect it's GOT to be able to run open. How about six LARGE pipes coming straight out that are capped, can be opened. With pipes coming out the bottom leading to a muffler for civil duty?

 

You know, I thought about 6 straight pipes coming out and going right through a large muffler/collector with some kind of sliding valve that could be opened to uncover all 6 pipes or left to go down the exhaust pipe and out to a fish tailpipe in the rear. Maybe a snug pipe within the collector pipe that could be turned to uncover and open the ports. Or a square collector/muffler with another square pipe inside that slides. I wonder about exhaust leakage and if it would matter. Or whether the whole thing would clog up with exhaust debris.
Jerry

 

lakes style header with a cap and a take off to a single pipe ending in a fishtail....just to add a nod to hotrodding!!..IMHO...fantastic work by the way!!

 

Jerry,
I built this "header" for a 1916 National speedster a few years ago. I agree with the point made about it being deliberately "crude". The originals were actually flanged and riveted. The collector tube is 5" truck exhaust with a slight turn out at the tip.

 

I am glad you had posted that pic McKee. I was envisioning heat sheilds on the exhaust, similar to a MC, but could not find a traditional reference. Flogging was sure to ensue. Not sure about the mesh, but perhaps solid stainless rod curved around the outside with runners down the center.

That car has lots of interesting details.

 

I was wondering about mandrel bending vs other. I've never seen any narrowing in a bent pipe on an old car, so how did they bend it? Pack it with sand? Lead shot? I didn't want to use modern exhaust pipe either, but rather just straight steel pipe.
What thickness though? The exhaust flanges require a 2.25 OD pipe.
Jerry

 

At over two litres per cylinder, and not many rpm, it is going to be pretty loud any way you do it. The exhaust pulsing will be very strong

I believe there is probably an optimum noise level that can be powerfully assertive, without being annoyingly deafening. The character of the sound is just as important as the volume, maybe more. Boom-boom-boom, is what you want, not the sharp crackle, crackle, crackle you get from very short open exhaust stubs.
Start up and fast idle any engine without an exhaust manifold fitted, it does not sound at all nice.........

I don't think a completely open exhaust is the way to go here.

 

For race cars, often packed with sand and heated over a coal forge. Still done that way some places. 1/16 (.060) wall would be enough. If you cut and piece together bends it will look modern day.

 

I've seen that National, maybe at Hershey. What kind of tubing did you build the header out of?
Jerry
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Oil pan

I spent Sunday cleaning the oil pan. This thing measures about 52 inches long. It was a nasty, filthy mess. When I pressure washed it black 40 or 50 year old sludge went everywhere and it was still dirty. I went through 3 cans of oven cleaner hosing it down in between. That got rid of the loose crud. Then I went over it with a wire brush on a die grinder. I've still got to clean it one more time with mag cleaner and water. Anyway, you can see the oil pump is built into the pan. The pump fills the dipper troughs with oil through a hole in the bottom of the trough. The tubes sticking up fit directly into the main bearings. A small spring loaded leather washer seals the tubes. That's the oiling system.

Jerry
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Exhaust

I pondered my exhaust all weekend. The ready made mandrel bends have too small a radius to suit me. They are very expensive also. Then I remembered that thinwall electrical EMT--2 inch--has ready made bends (very close to mandrel bent) so I went to Home Depot and bought one for examination. It's galvanized, so that's bad, but I think I can grind that off to weld it. Other than that I think they'll be perfect. Imagine 6 pipes like the one in the picture going down to an 5 foot long, 8 inch diameter muffler somewhere below the frame. What do you think?

Jerry
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how about black iron water pipe? home depot sells that prebent its thicker wall and its not galvinized , ?i dont think EMT tubing would take a lot of heat before it was smoked we used to make farm tractor exhaust pipes out of black iron and it held up well

 

That EMT is pretty thick. I'd say 14 gauge. Black iron would last forever, that's for sure

Jerry
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The black iron pipe, will be a bit heavy............which is O K, if you are going to build support for it, and not let it "hang free", as a set of headers normally does..............

You can remove the galvanizing where needed, for the welds, and not even need a glass of milk!, ( old wives tale, supposedly keeps you safe from zinc poisoning).

 

IMHO, that will look just right. Good thinkin'!

 

Great build, will be watching this one.

 

Coming along very nicely.
Weight should not really be an issue, but something has to support that big muffler, or the whole thing is going to crack and fall apart. I think I would be using black pipe, otherwise known as "steam pipe".

 

Jerry,

How does it look tilted at a 45 degree angle?

 

My vote would be for them all to be matched somewhere between 30 to 45 degrees- can't wait to see the next set of pics!

 

What a wonderful build!! And truly different...actually, VERY different!! (smiling)
You, old boy, are delving into a world many of us can only dream of....few have the stones to do it. You, sir, are one crazy S.O.B. and that is a compliment!!
Don't stop. And, PLEASE, keep the words and photos coming.

 

I'm with Mac on this, but I'm sure no matter what you do it will be cool. The rest of it is so far!!

 

I would start them out slanted at the front, to clear the wheel when turned, and transition to straight up and down, as you progress to the rear..............At least, to see how it looks.....................It would also keep your muffler / collector from possibly growing too long................

A nice , gradual change in angle MIGHT look cool.......................Or maybe not.....

Bitchin' build, nonetheless!!!!!!!!

 

I went to Home Depot and they only had one bend. I suppose there's not much demand for these things. Tomorrow I head to the electrical supply about 30 miles away. I live in a small town. I may even buy some 45's. I was thinking about the exhaust on the Blitzen Benz. One thing for sure--the muffler's got to hang off the frame and I've got to put a conical front on the muffler. Wait, that's two things.

Jerry
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... sounds like Monty Python's "Spanish Inquisition" skit !

 

Or that classic car movie, "The Great Race".

Or the X rated version of "Chitty Chitty Gang Bang".