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Hot Rods Flathead Exhaust Questions?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by RetroSteel, Jul 17, 2020.

  1. Want to put on a traditional sounding hot rod full exhaust behind this flathead motor that will be going in my chopped & channelled 1927 T sedan.

    So my questions are:
    What brand are the best sounding mufflers for a dual exhaust for a flathead? Why?
    What diameter size tubing should be used for optimum sound? Why?
    Thanks!



    Flathead 1.jpg
     
    j hansen likes this.
  2. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 12,375

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I usually play golf on Fridays so I miss the weekly flathead muffler post but I'm here for this one. I used 2.250" pipes, Red's headers, 22" Smithy's and ran it out the back. Not my recipe, just paid attention to the guys that know and went before.
     
  3. Los_Control
    Joined: Oct 7, 2016
    Posts: 1,144

    Los_Control
    Member
    from TX

    For the best sound, install that motor in my truck and then follow me around and listen to it ;P
     
  4. I like the sound of the aluminized glasspacks my local place stocks. 18" long in 2" or 2.25" diameter
     
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  5. WB69
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 1,958

    WB69
    Member
    from Kansas

    Mine have 2.00" duals with cherry bombs. Low rumble. Not loud and no resonance.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2020
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  6. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 12,375

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    @RetroSteel whatever you do, get a black MSD cap on that flatty!
    upload_2020-7-17_12-46-7.png
     
  7. Billy,
    I know I have said this before,,,,,,but,,,,beautiful work there .

    Tommy
     
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  8. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 7,444

    A Boner
    Member

    Using small diameter tube is the secret!
     
  9. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 3,885

    rusty valley
    Member

    ^^^yup, 1 3/4" on mine. sounds great, no mufflers
     
  10. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 7,444

    A Boner
    Member

    Mufflers are for the wife’s car! Right?
     
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  11. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,956

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    1 3/4" pipe all the way back and NO mufflers. (It's traditional and not too loud.)
     
  12. millersgarage
    Joined: Jun 23, 2009
    Posts: 2,296

    millersgarage
    Member

    I have 2" and Porters. It's very quiet.
    if you're looking for raspy, then go smaller diameter
     
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  13. oldsman41
    Joined: Jun 25, 2010
    Posts: 1,556

    oldsman41
    Member

    13/4 inch with smithys old style sound. My 51 merc run straight pipes but the car is quite a bit longer so I don’t know how gruff it would be on the t
     
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  14. Running 1.75 and Porters on mine... can carry on a conversation while cruising but makes a nice sound when you get on it... Also, the type and direction of your tips makes a pretty noticeable difference.
    Chappy
     
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  15. F.Y.I. On Billy Bandits car I agree with the 2=1/4" pipe but notice he has a Huffer sitting on top of his intake. That little item adds a little different need for exhaust. I will tell you it sounds outstanding. Now for strait up carbureted motor you want just a little smaller pipe. 1=3/4" has been the go to size for years on our Flathead Hot Rods. Mufflers are kind of a personal thing. I like Smitty's or Mitchels myself. Also there is Horse Power in exhaust believe it or not. You can actually go backwards doing it wrong be it to big or to small of Pipe size. It's about breathing not just sound. For my Flathead powered Roadster should I ever get back to it I will use 1=5/8" pipe with the new version of Smittys because that's the size pipe it takes to make proper back pressure for the Motor connected to it. (at least I hope so)
    Billy, you surprised me in that you didn't find a way to make a polished Aluminum dist cap for that piece of Art.
     
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  16. Model A Gomez
    Joined: Aug 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,695

    Model A Gomez
    Member

    I'm using Red's headers, 22" Smithy's and 2" tailpipes and they don't sound bad but not as crisp as I would like. Had a 50 Ford with about the same set up but smaller tailpipes and thought it sounded better.
     
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  17. I think this is one of those rare instances where smaller is better. :rolleyes:
     
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  18. I have normally run between 1 7/8" and 21/8" on a flathead. Something I learned from my dad and Smitty's (he didn't like Porters). The diameter goes up with the output of the motor. A motor that is not pumping out a lot of volume gets the smaller diameter tubes.

    here is something he always said to me, glass packs are for chebbys and steel packs for everything else. bear in mind he did not like Chebbys. :D
     
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  19. All that I read pointed towards 1.75" pipe and short glass packs (if any at all).
    Mine in a stock '47, fentons and 14" packs.....and cold.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2020
    sidevalve8ba and RetroSteel like this.
  20. Well after reading the H.A.M.B. feed back on my flathead exhaust question, I have decided to go with 1 3/4 inch stainless exhaust tubing with no mufflers. In the advent I find it too loud, I will simply cut the tubing and install some type of glass pack mufflers.
    Thanks for all the input! :)
     
    rusty valley likes this.
  21. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 3,885

    rusty valley
    Member

    i think you will be happy, have fun!
     
    RetroSteel likes this.

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