Blew out mufflers

This may sound rather funny. But my car (55 Chevy 350 motor 700r4 transmission) was running rather rough. I couldn't even keep it to idle at a stop light. Loud bang when I accelerated. (Like when we used to do when we were kids, turn off the ignition switch and pump the gas pedal a few times then turn the ignition back on). I changed out my fuel filter now my car runs just great so I figured that the coughing was coming from the dirt in the filter. I was installing seat belts today an I noticed that both of my mufflers are completely blown apart. Why is my car running better now the now resistance with the mufflers or the clean fuel filter. I think it's the fuel filter.


Register now (free) or login to remove ads

It is possible the baffles in the muffler collapsed and the restriction caused enough pressure that they blew out.Years ago I worked for Wards and we had a guy bring in a 6 cyl Nova He bought for his kid and wanted a tune up,it had been sitting a while before they bought it.We did the tune up and replaced the carb and it ran great,he picked it up and half an hour later he calls mad as hell that it quit on him.We towed it back and it started right up so we let it run about 1/2 an hour and it started running bad,I put my hand by the tailpipe and felt almost no pressure and then it died.Replaced the muffler and problem solved ! Just one of those rare and unusual things you count as a learning experience.

This may not be your problem. I know a rich carburator can lead to a backfire which can damage the muffler.

Fouled plugs, or bad plug wires, in need of a tune up can also cause a similar situation to a rich running carb.

In rare cases as mentioned when a vehicle floods excessive fuel gets in the exhaust system and builds in the muffler. When it clears it`s throat BLAM!
Had it happen to me one time when I had a 79 Chevy malibu with a 305. It flooded on me one morning but I kept it running, I kept pumping the gas to keep it running not realizing this was making it worse. Finally, it coughed a few times, cleared it`s throat and BLAM! The car had a stock exhaust system on it. I noticed right away the car got louder, so I got out and took a look to see the muffler was blown apart.

This is totally OT, but thought about it as soon as intentional back fires were mentioned.

I owned a '64 Harley pan head, all original right down to the 'mouse trap' clutch and left handlebar ignition retard (to ease starting- it was kick start only, '65 could get an electric starter).

You could give the grip a CCW twist on deceleration and get backfires like you wouldn't believe. No need to pump the gas or KO it, just a twist.

I can imagiane if were to every try to kick start the motor and have a kick back that would mess up a leg. Maybe electric starts are now the way to go. Thanks for your reply. Nick

Speaking of blown up mufflers, I thought I'd share a pic of one that we blew up on our '87 Dodge truck. The old Mopar "lean burn" ignition trash was keeping it from firing, and it took forever to start. My dad went out to crank it one morning...it turned over and over and over, dumping all that unburnt fuel through it. It finally got a spark, and it sounded like a bomb went off. My dad had no idea that's what happened. I had to drive it that day as it was, and with it being four wheel drive, the thing was completely visible. I got lots of comments at school that day. It was hilarious.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Pull in Midas, Meinecki and say Ya'll sold me a defective muffler.

When I was in school somebody brought in an old 383 Fury to get a tune up. The guy instlling the points didn't know what he was doing and filled the thing full of gas trying to get it started. Needless to say when I got the thing to spark it blew the newly installed mufflers apart at the seam.....very load boom....LOL....then he tried to tell me I messed it up....LMAO

Now there's a car. Is there any pictures of it around here.

KG

I would like to post pictures of my progress of the car but I don't know how to upload them to Hot Rodders Bulletin Board. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Nick

Look here>> http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/how...oto-172583.html