Looking for thoughts on stock exhaust vs dual exhaust. The issue is the problems running the dual down the driver's side thru/under the frame. Question - is the gain in performance with the dual exhaust worth the headache and cost of routing the 2nd exhaust system? The engine is stock so on a good day it has 112 hp. Without opening up the intake side I just don't see the advantage of opening up the exhaust side.
I had a problem running dual exhaust on my Av8 roadster with the clutch and brake linkage where they are so I routed the drivers side over to the p***enger side of the motor and then down the p*** side for a bit, then crossed back over so I could have conventionally placed dual tail pipes. Maybe that is something you could try? Flatjack is correct. You won't see any real performance gain but it would sound cool with the right mufflers.
I agree with this completely. When I bought my '50 (stock 239) it had single exhaust with a gl***pac. It now has dual exhaust and dual gl***pacs. I think it sounds so much better, but then, that's me. Along with that, the dual 2bbl manifold I got last winter will work better, in theory, than with single exhaust.
I think a single gl*** pack will sound better than stock but not as good as duals. JMHO. Buy a gl*** pack that you like and put it on there and run it for a bit. If you don't like the sound then go ahead and run duals with 2 gl*** packs and see how that sounds. Start with the least expensive and work your way up.
I'll be the dissenter. I think you will see an increase in performance with headers and dual pipes it may be slight, but you will see it. I think it's worth doing with headers. Now jerry-rigging the stock manifolds to run duals....not so much. I saw a little increase with my 51 Coupe but the Ford is a much smaller car. After headers I had to re-adjust carburetor, so I know the engine breaths better. It may be small, but it was noticeable. Too, you tend exercise that right toe a little more after headers and pipes.
The header is close to the stock master cyl so if you are not running the stock set up and still on the frame check fitment. Should work but just something to consider. And not insurmountable if it’s an issue. Cutting a hole in the x-frame to match the other side will give ya the room for the pipe. I was messing with my flathead on the engine stand. The stock drivers manifold for a merc and a p***enger side I have from a truck would give ya duals without the using the stock style crossover manifold.
The header that was in my 51 51 merc drivers manifold P***enger side manifold I removed from a 50 f500 just tossing that out there. I saved em just incase I didn’t want to cap off one of the manifolds.
Thanks for the information. I need to see if I can find a good muffler shop and discuss it with them. For now, I think I'm going to worry about the brakes and getting the engine de-sludged and running.
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