1952-59 Ford Build your own muffler

Hi guys.
When I got my Ford the exhaust line was too far gone to use, so I just threw in a piece of flex pipe to run it from the manifold downwards and hooked it up to the oe muffler that I had previously fixed to go with no leaks.
Meanwhile I bettered it, building a new line that runs between the frame and the rocker panel discretely exiting through a side pipe in front of the rear wheel. Intention was to use it without muffler, like a functional lake pipe, but the sound is just too damn loud and Johnny Law would bust me in no time.
So I ordered a 22' Smithy's, but I must say that I dislike the outcome. At idle and low rev it sounds good, but when you punch it its is just too rappy.
So... I'm building my own:
http://www.powernationtv.com/two-minute-tech/2min-48/make-a-muffler
Looks like a rewarding cool easy diy project.
Just wanted to share the video and ask if any of you have the experience with these matters. Steel wool ignites and also does fibergl***. Exhaust reaches some high temperatures and that concerns me a bit, but from what I see that is just plain steel wool... Thoughts?
Regards

 

Rui,
if you go the way of the video your muffler will sound just like the Smitty I think. Rap, rap, rap.
maybe you should hunt down a small diameter OE type Euro car muffler?
Anyway, have fun.

 

Thanks Brodie. How about no packing? Dumb I guess.
Smithys has this spiral arrangement inside like the inside barrel of a gun...

 

Back in the day, I used to make resonators out of old lever action grease guns. Used to look the part and lasted forever.

 

Thanks, I'll see what I can come up with.

 

We used to make them for the stock cars using big food cans. Stack 2 together with a piece of straight pipe through them.. all brazed up. Some dull paint on them and they always p***ed tech inspection.

 

My 56 has those Smithys. They are fine at low rpms but very rappy.
I have Cherry Bombs on my 32. No rap, just nice sound. A bit loud
at higher rpm.

 

Ah... I hesitated. How long are your cherry bombs?

 

OK, so this is what I came up with:

Start with your basics: a leftover exhaust pipe, a piece of 2mm metal sheet and 560mm of 100mmX2mm pipe. Dont forget Our Lady of Automotive Works.
If you're as skilled as me (not much), draw your muffler's ends 102mm so you have something to weld on and grind later.

Chop off way for your 2" pipe to go through.

Dont waste!

Don't have a plasma cutter, so angle grinder it is.

Love my working lamp.

US made.

Got a better way to calculate the volume needed to get rid of gases p***ing a 2" pipe? I **** at math, so this is a way to know how many 10mm holes I'll need at least for gases to escape. See further ahead.

Check fit.

Tack it.

Test.

Gases will enter the chamber through here, mufflers closest part to the engine.

Split it 45º

Cut a piece to deflect the gases and sound.



Tack it.

Align, weld and grind.

Drill enough holes to let gases p*** freely, mufflers farthest part from the engine.

Exhaust gases inlet finished.

Insert pipe in its casing.

Give it your best shot at welding it shut.

Grind it. 60 grit flap disc on agle grinder used here.

Done.

Pain it heat resistant.

Not too bad.

I've got flex exhaust from the manifold to a 90º bend between frame and rocker panel.

***emble.

Done.

 

Pretty damn cool! Sounds great too.

 

Thanks Eric.

 

thats impressive

 

Thanks. Do you meen the sound? It turned out good. I think it would sound bad*** it you threw a couple on a V8.

 

Not to shabby! You can take some pride in a job well done

 

Great job, Rui
Merry Christmas
Jim

 

Thanks for the compliments guys.
My family and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New hi-revvvvin Year.
Take care.