RE: Need '865KSTQ Muffler

["Swann, Benjamin (BSWANN)" <BSWANN@arinc.com>]

Mike,

Since you are the second person to comment on the excellent longevity of
these 
exhaust systems,  I thought I'd explain that it was not due to rusting out
that 
this muffler needs replacement...Here's a recap of a prior reply...

******

I acquired this poor abused car for cheap, and am trying to get it on the
road 
for cheap - don't need no money pit.

You are right about no rust - there's no rust, even around the damaged metal

where the exhaust pipe must have been backed into something, and scrunched
all 
the way to the mid-muffler assy.  I think this is the cause of my cracked 
manifold (already repaired), cause I found no bad motor mounts.

Anyway, perhaps I'm being too cheap by avoiding $250ish at the dealer(mid
muff 
was more like $450).  My fear is once I get the car driveable, I may find 
something else that changes my mind expense wise (like the BOMB).
 
I'd get a used one from the salvage yard, but I understand they aren't
allowed 
to sell exhaust stuff from wrecked vehicles.

******
 
Anyway, I think I may have located one via a listmember, but may not be able
to 
get it 'til next week.

Thanks for your reply.

Oh, as noted below - the original exhaust on my 4KQ is still intact with no 
leaks(but more rusty than the CSQs) and apparently the cat is still 
functioning.  This car has probably around 200Kmi - I don't know as I got 
the car at 128K and the OD has never elapsed any more miles, I've had the 
car for around 6 years.  The aftermarket rear exhaust (BOSEL I think) I've 
done many fabulous Marine Tex repairs on.  The front exhaust has only needed

patching around the welds where the pipe goes into the Muffler.


Ben Swann

'85 4ksq (Passed emmisions today, to my surprise - I thought the CAT was 
shot..now if I can find the time to replace exhaust system, struts, CV boot,

Brakes, Seats, Windshield, hoses, etc.  Gonna have to put her to pasture for

awhile.)

'86 5kcstq (Gettin' close! Will get on the road as soon as I get the exhaust

and fan squared away.)

'87 5kcstq Wagon
______________________________ Reply Separator 
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Subject: Need '865KSTQ Muffler
Author:  "Dave Conner" [SMTP:conner@cfm.Ohio-State.edu] at EXCHANGE
Date:    7/28/99 3:45 PM

Maybe your system really is rotted out. But maybe it's not.

On my 87 5KS I had a small hole in the center muffler so I replced it 
figuring the insides were rotted out, etc.
Also, there was a shiny metal cover on the muffler which had rotted.

After taking the old one off I was curious to see what was inside, so I cut 
it open.
It turned out that this original muffler which had served over ten years was

still completely sound on the inside and looked like it could have lasted 
another ten years if I had simply welded the hole in it.
This hole was at the low spot of the system where condensatiobn would have 
been collecting over the years.

New OEM systems are quite expensive.
Aftermarket less expensive but I hear many stories of these lasting two 
years, etc.

HTH,
Dave C.