Interesting muffler replacement need situation

[Rhymingmechanic]

Taylor Spiropros are nice wires. I had a set on a Pontiac with MSD ignition.

My dad drove a 77 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup, and I don't think it had a converter.

It looks like you might be missing a bellhousing bolt.

 

[Cubey]

Yeah could be. The trans was rebuilt in 2010 before I bought it, but they did a poor job. The pan gasket drips.

Oh and somebody stole the innards of my blown out muffler since the other day.

And yes, the muffler is welded on. Engine side is REALLY well done... almost insane how well it's done. Tailpipe side is clamped and spot welded.

 

[dishdude]

So when that muffler blew it had to sound great!

Not to thread jack, but one of my jobs in college was a Service Writer at Pepboys. One day we had an E-150 with a 300 I-6 come in for a no start. Tech can't figure out why it won't start and is cranking away with this van inside the garage, and of course it's winter so the all doors are closed.

All of a sudden BOOM!! The loudest explosion I have ever heard, I thought an entire vehicle had blown up. I go out to the garage, and there is a flat piece of sheet metal under the van, which of course was the muffler!

Turns out the timing gears (which were nylon iirc) had lost a couple teeth so the valve timing was way off, the muffler had filled with gas fumes and when the spark hit with an open exhaust valve, it traveled down to the muffler and blew!

 

[Cubey]

I made a couple calls to muffler shops.

One told me he didn't know if he could do the work or not.. and to call smog shops to ask. Huh?? Ask a smog shop if he can do the work? What the heck?

I called another muffler shop and he referred me to their other location where they have an outside lift. I called them and he said they could "accomodate" me being registered out of state, unsure about if it came with a cat. conv. or not, etc. He said they have a muffler that will work for my need.

I forgot to ask how much it'll be though. But at this point I can't be too awfully picky. I'll call ahead before I go over there to be sure they can fit me in that day and get an estimate then.

I told him it'll be a couple days since I'm waiting on ignition parts to try to fix the underling problem first.

 

[artificialist]

Given the age of the car, I have to wonder if some cheap universal replacement cat will do the job, and not cost too much more than a muffler.

But in any case, be sure your truck even had one at one time.

I once had to repair a 1985 Ford Class C with a carb'd 351, and it used no cat. The smog info label had "Non-catalyst" written on it.

Maybe you can give your VIN to a Dodge dealer to get a new smog info label.

 

[spasm3]

Is that a points ignition distributor?

 

[Cubey]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Given the age of the car, I have to wonder if some cheap universal replacement cat will do the job, and not cost too much more than a muffler.

But in any case, be sure your truck even had one at one time.

I once had to repair a 1985 Ford Class C with a carb'd 351, and it used no cat. The smog info label had "Non-catalyst" written on it.

Maybe you can give your VIN to a Dodge dealer to get a new smog info label.


Cats run $100 for 49-state ones, $200 for California ones for 78 Dodge B300s according to auto parts catalogs like O'Reilly's website. I haven't looked for a label under the hood yet, but my gauges do NOT say anything about unleaded only. I do know it has a label on the plastic grill saying not to get brake fluid on it but that's all I ever remember seeing... heh.

Decoding the VIN doesn't help much using this page, it doesn't help for emissions info:
http://www.vintage-vans.com/dodge_vin.html

The only thing I really learned is that it's body code is "tradesman van" and it was built in the Missouri factory. The last 6 digits of the VIN must just be the serial number/production number. I suppose it's helpful if it's known that the Missouri factory wasn't putting cat convs on B300s in 1978.

I do know it's a cross between a 78 and a 79 wire color wise. I had to do some wiring repairs for the exterior lighting and I found the wire harness colors to be that of a 79, not a 78 based on my Haynes manual. It is a VERY late 1978 production model based on the date on the VIN tag on the door jamb. It was something like April or June 1978 as I recall. It was converted to the motorhome within a month or two based on the sticker for that also on the door jamb.


Originally Posted By: spasm3
Is that a points ignition distributor?


Not sure. I don't really know anything about ignition systems other than how to change spark plugs, wires, dist caps and rotors. Heh. That's not something I've ever needed to learn yet. I learn things as I go along and need them. For one thing, this is the oldest vehicle I've ever owned and the only one with carb, aside from 1cyl 49cc-244cc scooters I've had.

Well, I did have a 73 super beetle project for a short time but it had no engine and I ended up selling it before I got anything done on it due to major life change plans.. so yeah.

The second oldest car that I've ever had was an old beater 88 Buick Regal but I never did anything with it engine wise while I had it. I don't even know if it had a carb or fuel injection to be honest. I didn't have it too awfully long. It ran and drove while I had it; It bucked hard into second gear but never stranded me and did fine on the highway, which is all I cared about considering I paid under $300 for it.

Sorry, I get off topic rambling on about stuff... then hate to delete what I already typed out.

 

[Cubey]

Okay, no, it doesn't have points:

Electronic ignition was optional in 1972-73 and became standard in 1974. This unit functions basically the same as a breaker point distributor, although the parts used are different.

I put in the new ignition parts... had 4 easy starts... and the new muffler put on, then hard starting again. Soonest I can get to a shop for that is tomorrow when they can fit me in.

 

[Chris142]

I remember seeing brand new ford f350's at the dealer here in socal in the mid 80's that didnt have a cat. Dont go asking about a cat. Just say that u need a muffler put on.

 

[Cujet]

Don't put a cat on it unnecessarily. If it was not or is not configured for one, you will not be helping matters.

For starters, many catalytic converters create about 2 pounds of backpressure. This changes the operational fuel/air ratio a bit. That can then, in turn create cat overheating, leading to vehicle fires and disaster. (yeah, a bit over the top, but you can see my point)

The additional backpressure can also reduce fuel economy by increasing pumping losses (makes the engine work harder) .

 

[another Todd]

I have a Calif. model 1996 Ford F53 chassis motorhome with no cat from the factory.

 

[Cubey]

Oh I thought I posted the resolution. I found a muffler shop who put on a new Flowmaster heavy duty tube-type muffler. I had to go to a further away branch of their stores due to it having an outdoor rack, but they did the job. $161 tax and all. The muffler itself runs about that online direct from Flowmaster, so it wasn't a bad deal.

It probably never had a cat. conv. since the gauges don't say unleaded only.