Muffler Rebuild - tips / tricks ?

[fireheadman]

Was able to salvage my cast iron ends.... would like to reuse them with a new shell kit (3-bolt).

will see if I can get a little more knocked off them, then maybe paint them with high-temp paint (black)

So if I go with this kit...

Are there any tip/tricks to getting a good seal?
Would you use something JB Weld High or Extreme Heat epoxy on the ends?
...maybe a jam nut on the ends of the bolts..

[fireheadman]

I am also aware of the pre-made mufflers w/o the cast iron ends.. These are pretty price competitive as an option, but in my case... since I have decent ends, I'm wanting to keep as much original parts as possible (more of a sentimental value since I know my grandfather touched them)

[Allan]

From photos of repro shells posted here at times, they are not made with the correct folded seams. The joint overlaps and is spot welded to hold it together. Some add their own welds along the seam so they don't blow apart. I could send you the two larger ones correctly made with folded delivery seams, but the beautiful new tariff would add $80 to the cost. You know who to thank for that.

Over lapped seams leak, shells leak at the ends the pipe leaks at the front end, so a coat of high temp exhaust paint will make them almost disappear from view.

Allan from down under.

[DHort]

I had a muffler like that with those ends. It was starting to rust so I tossed it and
installed a Stanley tractor muffler. It works great. They used to be $20, but are now
up to $58 or so.