Sylvia Tunaskas
New member
To replace or not replace? The muffler keeps coming off in the deep snow. The initial front / header pipe connection is the culprit. Instead of matching the muffler inlet to the header pipe size (approx 2") they just flared the end of the header pipe and stuffed it into the inlet to the flare and clamped it. I had some parts made to eliminate the muffler and replace the flared connection with a pipe that fits inside the header pipe and is flared to match the rest of the setup to the tailpipe connection. Is there a potential problem running with out a muffler? The noise with it off is not deafening, and truthfully I did not know it was missing until I got under it and saw it missing. My major concern is the hot exhaust dumping by the bell housing and getting trapped in the engine compartment. If it is working hard and under load it starts to sputter / starve until I throttle back. If you open the engine covers and let things cool down things, work well until the heat builds up again. Some similars cats in the area (1500's) do and do not have mufflers. Trailering it and taking it to a shop is not an option at this time. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.