Straight pipes

[mybeatupford]

My dad was yelling at me saying that because my exhaust is to loud that i'll be deaf or having hearing problems because of it? anyone in here have any problems with there hearing because of open lake pipes or just straight exhaust?

[RagDoll]

WHAT? Nope.No hearing problems here! Love my straight pipes. Not like you're lying down behind the car or anything, right?

[yorgatron]

i have problems with my hearing,but i don't know if it was from the power tools,harley,hot rod,playing electric guitar,tossing punkers offstage at the vet's hall shows,or that time i saw Motorhead in SF... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[manyolcars]

The dual straights on my y-block go to the rear bumper and arent loud enuff to cause problems. Open headers on a hot engine might cause hearing problems.

[48_HEMI]

your Dad will always be your Dad, Listen while you can still hear him! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I used to laugh at Keenan Wynn (SP) an old actor that was also a biker back in Steve McQueens day. he did a series of TV commercials on protecting your hearing.
I raced Gassers,Dirt Bikes and loved my 44 mag. (used to fire 100 to 500 rounds a week but not in the hood) I never used ear protection. I have less than 30% hearing in my right ear and 40% in the left.
the biggest problem with not hearing is people around you start to assume you are stupid because you can't keep up with a conversation. So I usually over compensate by trying to control the conversation by talking! then people start to believe I am not only stupid but rude too! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I still run straight pipes but I try to run them at least to the rear tires and blowing out.

If your working in the shop wear those ear plugs or head sets. if your driving with open headers or short stacks, keep a supply of ear plugs in the car or at very least some cotton balls.

I remember a trip from Pasadena to Vegas in 1959 in a brand new 315 horse tri-powered 348 c.i. Chevy Biscayne, Before Freeways it was mostly one lane and lots of slow moving trucks. we uncorked the headers and put the hammer down 225 miles in just under 2 1/2 hours we got there we were not only deaf for hours we walked like zombies all night.
Made the same trip in a brand new 1964 360 horse tri-powered Pontiac GTO thru the mufflers ran similars times (little better roads) more traffic, passing as many as 50 cars at a time running 130-140 mph got to vegas fresh and partied all night.

Point being the noise tears you up. stuff something in your ears when you running open .

hearing aid don't work like the OEM stuff your given a birth http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

you don't have to believe me, but you will remember me when the two most common words that come out of your mouth are "HUH! and WHAT!" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[hollywud]

If you think strait pipes are loud ..I happen to trip over a Nathan air chime Train horn.Well I'll be damned if i didnt put it in my car it sits under the hood and runs off bout 160 psi.
I just cant figure out why the police come running when i blow it! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[fab32]

Take the post by 48 Hemi and print it out. Make copies and hang them on the wall of your shop. I've experienced a similar hearing loss and believe me , like he said, there is no substitute for your origional equipment ears. The hearing aids just don't get it.
My loss is from an industrial environment (forging presses at General Motors) where you could yell directly into someones ear and could barely be understood. That combined with the unmuffled sound of small and big block Chevrolet engines at 6,000+ RPM for hours on end and you have the perfect recipe for deafness.
Back in the day no one gave it a second thought. Now there is ear protection provided in noisy industrial situations and any bonehead with two functioning brain cells should wear ear protection when exposed to any loud sustained noise.

Frank

[Gregg Pellicer]

the biggest problem with not hearing is people around you start to assume you are stupid because you can't keep up with a conversation. So I usually over compensate by trying to control the conversation by talking! then people start to believe I am not only stupid but rude too!

48 hemi you hit the nail on the head LOL.Wife says i need hearing aid.Sometimes I dont really mind the not hearing(comes in handy sometime'sLOL).But damn sure hate it when people think your stupid.Maybe hearing aid wouldnt be a bad idea. GREGG

[JamesG]

Thats whats on the Bellflower Buick.....no mufflers, straight out through the Bellflowers..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[atch]

some advice (whether you want it or not):

in addition to what has been said above, wear hearing protection when you're mowing the lawn, grinding, riding your harley, chainsawing, even driving your hot rod with the windows down.

cotton balls are better than nothing; ear plugs are better than cotton balls; ear muffs (like helicopter crews wear) are better yet. use the best you can get and are comfortable wearing. hell, use it even if you aren't comfortable wearing it.

like many have said throughout history, "if i had known i was going to live this long i'd have taken better care of myself when i was younger."

when it's too late, it's, well, it's just too late.

[loudpedal]

What did you guys say?

LP

[james]

Are you sure that not hearing is why people think you're stupid?? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mai Ki-Ki]

I'm already deaf...(well a fair bit)

Deaf, Blind and Maiki

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

*seriously too!*

[dixiedog]

I lost a good portion of my hearing working as a mechanic out of high school for years and then plant construction, shut downs and turn around construction. The wife thinks I ignore her but, I really don't hear her and the shit starts http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif all over again - hell, her hearing got cooked when Led Zepplin played at a small bar in Boston in the late 60's using concert size sound system.

Moral of the story - wear ear plugs even if you are riding your scooter the air noise will damage your ear drums.

[JOECOOL]

When you get to be old ,and your 3 year old grandaughter crawls up on your lap and says " I love you grandpa" and you can't hear her, I guarantee you will regret all those open headers and beating with a hammer.

[InPrimer]

More war stories, lost lots of hearing during '66-'70 jet engines courtesy of military. Looking back, sorry I took things for granted. Now im 70/75% deaf and like everyone here before me are bitchin' about it ,take our word for it protect the ears(and eyes also)

[Rand Man]

Now I realize what has caused my trouble with women. Hot Rods and Rock n Roll have destroyed my life. No, really I think it has more to do a change in hearing range than a loss in the ability to hear. I'd just rather hear the whine of a V8 instead of the whine of a woman.

[Rusty]

Amen brother to that. There are alot of things to protect your ears from but a little Hot Rodding and loud pipes will cure your soul. Anyways Flowmasters are for Goldchainers. Your car is sweet

[48_HEMI]

I didn't say don't do it. just do it safely. Sounds like a condom commercial! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[JamesG]

Between having major sinus and ear infections, playing music in a loud band for about 15 years and working at the railroad, I have some pretty major hearing lose. Oh well, at least I had a blast during some of it! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif