1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread

[ChevDog1]

And isn't this exhaust manifold just begging for true duals?

[ChevDog1]

I also decided to finally remove my rear bump stop mounts. It's a real pain getting a grinder to the rivet heads. Once I got them ground off, I managed to drop a large chisel on my face while trying to pound them off. Ouch.

But they are gone now, and I gained 2" of wheel travel - up from my original 1" to a huge 3". Once I have it on the road, I'll see if I have to do a c-notch.

[ChevDog1]

After all of that, I cleaned myself up and made a run to town for parts. Picked up two 2.5" cats, some 2.5" pipe, a few bends, and a couple of clamps.

After shoveling and raking my driveway for the first half of the morning I'm exhausted. Going to take a break for the rest of the day, and get started on the exhaust in the morning.

[ChevDog1]

Today's project. Exhaust.

Started with the pile of parts I picked up yesterday

[ChevDog1]

And ended up with this!

[ChevDog1]

It is true duals, from the manifold back. The downpes are the stock 2" pieces. I stepped them up 2.5", which runs all the way back. Dual Napa cats. I fabbed my own tips from some extra 3" tubing I had laying around.

[ChevDog1]

View of the down pipe connections.

[ChevDog1]

And the tips.

Sure wish my carb kit had come in today. I'm dying to hear what this sounds like. I might just throw my carb back together tomorrow and give it a quick rev.

[ChevDog1]

Not much to do today, while I'm waiting on my carb kit. Cleaned up the shop a bit, then got to work on the throttle cable bracket. Adding the spacer meant I had to rebuild mt bracket. Here it is all mocked up with the throttle body.

[ChevDog1]

I also spent some time cleaning and prepping the carb for a rebuild

[ChevDog1]

And one more shot showing the dual exhaust outlets on the manifold. Yeah, the welds are pretty ugly, but the ones you can see were done hanging upside down in the engine compartment with my arm fully extended. Not the best position to weld in.

[Tx Firefighter]

Fantastic work building your own exhaust. It's one of my favorite parts of a project too. Keep Summit in mind for stuff like catalytic converters. They offer free shipping on orders of 99 dollars or more and their prices cut the throat of everyone else anyway. I know that ship has already sailed, just something to store away for future price comparisons when you buy stuff.

And, I hear you on the awkward welds. I was welding the exhaust on my dually the other day. Laying on my back under the truck, sparks falling all over me, welding the top of the pipe, using a mirror in one hand and the MIG gun in the other. Lord, I'm ashamed of how that weld looks. Everything being backward in the mirror, I would zig when I needed to zag. What a mess.

[ChevDog1]

Thanks Kevin, I know I could have saved some money using summit, but I had a three day weekend that was blown by a screwed up carb kit order. It was either grab my parts locally so I could be productive this weekend, or order them and sit around on my thumbs...

I have been trying to keep is on the cheap, but I elected to spend a bit more so I could have something to do this weekend. - I guess I could call it an "entertainment expense"

[ChevDog1]

BTW - I have done the mig welding with a mirror thing before, and it didn't turn out well. This time, I fit and tacked the entire system in the truck, then removed it and welded it on the shop floor. This way the only weld I had to do under the truck was the final two connections to the existing downpipes.

[Tx Firefighter]

I'm sometimes in that same position, where I could save a few bucks by ordering, but I'm standing around the shop with nothing to do so I buy locally so I can at least do some work and maintain momentum.

[Low Elco]

Good lookin' work, can't wait for the running report!

[ChevDog1]

Got the carb rebuilt tonight, but it still has a really bad bog/stumble just off idle. I'm going to call mikes carbs in the morning, and see if he can help. The #42 jets I tried were way too lean. The truck wouldn't run above about 1500 rpm with them installed. Put the 56's back in and it still bogs bad. Runs strong once I get past the bog.

The exhaust sounds pretty sick. Probably too loud for street use, but I'll look into my options for that once I get the carb sorted.

[manimal]

Nice work! Inspiring to see another low buck build!

[ChevDog1]

Spent some time on the phone with mike today, and he helped me sort out my carb issues. Took it back off the truck tonight, tore it all apart, put it back together and back on the truck...

Finally - success! It now runs better than it ever has. Probably still have a little fine tuning to do, but it could be used as a driver now. Following are some pics of a 2GV where it should not be!

[ChevDog1]

My modified air cleaner finally in place.

[ChevDog1]

Overall engine shot. Still need to hook up some more vacuum lines and detail the engine compartment.

[ChevDog1]

Close up of the adapter

[ChevDog1]

http://youtu.be/auY_U1RPLOg

Here is a link to a YouTube video of the exhaust in action. Let me know what you guys think!

[BADAZ chevy guy]

First time I saw duel exhaust on a straight 6 was on my dad's 52 BelAir. He got it NEW from the local Chevy dealer parts counter. It was made for the 53 Corvette.
I still remember the sound of lake pipes.

[Low Elco]

Sounds good! I like the burbling idle. Glad it's running good for ya.