My Exhaust Hangers are Looking Sad !

[lngfish]

Good Morning,

1987 Chevy P30 454 w/Carb.  As I am looking under this thing I found one band of main exhaust 2" hanger band completely bad.  The band part that grabs the pipe separated from age and heat.  I pulled the part off that is bolted with one bolt and I'd like to replace this piece.  It is an assembly.  It consists of this bracket, the rubber things and the clamp at the bottom. The is one bolt up about 3-4 inches and bolt looks like a 3/8 bolt and a nut.   9/16" wrench took it off.

Is this a dealer part?

I see there are 3 on each side, they all look the same to me, are they?

Anybody know a part number or a source for this part?

I see this assemble allows the exhaust system to expand about 1/2" within its design.   These are the brackets I'd like to replace as they are really bad.

Thanks,

Steve

[M & J]

Since you have it off take it to an auto parts store. There are a number of universal brackets and hangers that should be close enough to use or adapt.

[lngfish]

Yes I do have it off I will take it around and see how I do.

I will check as you say auto parts houses and maybe the dealer also and perhaps a muffler shop who may be able to rebuilt it some how as most of it is good.

Thanks

[Rickf1985]

I want to replace mine also but I can tell you that none of the universal ones out there are going to be as good. If you go to some of the better parts stores and look on the "HELP" rack, it's a red section or rotating stand, sometimes you can find factory replacements. Otherwise go to a dealer and they are probably still available, albeit a bit expensive. Just remember, the ones on there lasted 27 years.

GM Parts East. In our resource list on this site. They are available.

http://www.gmpartseast.com/Page_Product/PartList.aspx?MakeUrl=chevy&CatalogUrl=1989-p30&ComponentCode=TP03209502&SectionCode=03&EngineCode=LE8&TransmissionCode=M40&ModelCode=&Vin=&ProductionDate=&VehicleInfo=&CatalogCode=52P&Year=

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

http://store.stepvanparts.com/EXHAUST-CLAMPS-HANGERS-STEPVAN.HTM

[lngfish]

Glad I checked in here,

I was at Advance Auto store.  They did have something that might adapt over but allot of work and I'd prefer OEM if I can get OEM.  I did get and I'm looking at a what is called a Heavy Duty Swivel Hanger (swivels 360 degrees) It actually looks heavier gauge than OEM.

It has a total of about 1/2 of hanging material, like a ply tire. It if swivels you need to wrenches to swivel it, which I like.

To use it you would have to replace the upper HD rivet with an 8 MM bolt which I did get.  Then you would use the 8mm bolt and bolt it to the frame after swiveling the bottom part 90 degrees.  Matching it in the store looked good but I have not done it yet.  You could hang (2) 2" standard muffler clamps off it if you slightly bend out the very HD hanger on the end of the bracket.

It is very well constructed but if it was used there is not the same provisions as the OEM one has for thermal expansion with is about 1/2" from observation when I was looking at traces on the old bracket.  Seems this exhaust system expands allot.  I tend to want OEM for this reason.

I will check links.

Thanks

[Rickf1985]

And those hanger straps on the universals will break in less than a year due to movement induced hardening. That is why the stockers have folded over rubber, to absorb all of the movement.

[lngfish]

OK Rick,

I looked at both those sites the GM site and the step van site.

Both are great sites.

I wasn't sure what my 87 needed from the tiny dwg at the GM site, and the one on the step van site looked different.

What I did was to send an email to the GM East guys for pricing and availability.

I wasn't sure what to pick off the dwgs as they were difficult to read and would not explode well but still great to look at.

Thanks for the help guys.

What happened to one of mine, and I'm sure the others are right behind is the bottom band broke but from the rubber mount up look fairly OK. But I don't see a way to rebuild it. The OEM design looks spot on and last 27 years so can't beat that!

[Rickf1985]

I saw on the drawing that the band was listed separately. I don't know if it was still avaiable. I think the hangers are all the same but the bands are pipe size specific.

[lngfish]

The one I have I'm looking at is the 2nd one back of 3.  2nd back from where exhaust header connects.  I think 1 and 2 back from header are same I have not looked at #3 yet up close.  The top part is like a little "b" or a chair without legs.
Inside this sits the big square rubber.  From this there is a big Oval LOOP that runs midway through the rubber.

From this concave LOOP is Machine Spot welded (2 places) the top of the hanger, then the bottom half CLIPS and hangs to top part which is flat metal, plain Jane , and it bolted to top part of this flat clamp. Flat clamp is like 1-1/8" wide, so it hold pipe nicely.

What I have here is rusted but I think I can take to my welder and he can add welds to where it is just spot welded and add some strength. 2 spots. You know when they CLAMP and WELD and a BIG SPARK!

The LOOP is fine.  The Rubber is fine.  The "b" is fine.

What is bad is where the LOOP is connected to itself at the bottom. LOOP end to LOOP end.

I will see what my welder says about cleaning up this unwelded open joint and seem welding it. "Butt weld it"  It now is only SPOT welded but tight. It is not SPOT welded at the butt however.   Nothing is done at the butt seam. DUMB!
Does butt have 2 t's or one?

Then my plan if he agrees, I may do this before hand, it to DRILL  out the OEM spot weld to remove the top half of the flat clamp. I think it need to do to allow room for the clamps, need the room.

Then my plan was to invert good quality; 2.5 inch (BTW Advance Auto Parts clamps are poor quality, get else where, I prefer CARQUEST); standard HD exhaust clamps and put the saddle on the TOP.

I don't know why I want to put the Saddle on the top at all, just want to. LOL.   Indecision is the key to flexibility I was told once.   Either way it is a way to salvage what we have for not much money and that is always good and sort of keep OEM slide design.

Maybe can get 27 more years out of it!  Otherwise it is going to be costly I think.

[M & J]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Are yuo looking for items 11 and/or 19 on http://www.gmpartseast.com/Page_Product/PartList.aspx?MakeUrl=chevy&CatalogUrl=1987-p30&ComponentCode=TP03209502&SectionCode=03&EngineCode=LE8&TransmissionCode=M40&ModelCode=&Vin=&ProductionDate=&VehicleInfo=&CatalogCode=52P&Year=

Dave

[lngfish]

Sorry I did not post a picture but I need to purchase a new camera.

Dave, thanks for posting the link again.


The part that rusted and actually separated is the band at the bottom that goes into the rectangular hole on the opposite end and then this lower band is bolted with a nut.

This lower holding band looks like item 10 to me. The pipe is 2-1/2"

Then the part it bolts to is the upper band and it is part of the bracket since it is Stamp-welded.

At this step it is hard to see the details of the dwgs for me since it will not explode.

Let me explain what I did yesterday and I'm pretty happy with it as it is now.

I may do it better, not sure.

1. I chipped all the rust off in all areas of the bracket. Most came off in big flakes. Lots of bright metal left.
2. I used a Dremel and cleaned with a grinding disc the area where the loop part of hanger is stamped-welded to the part above it. Lot of metal. I cleaned where the loop is not welded to itself. Looks good. No need to butt weld.
3. Stamp-welds look good.
4. I cut off the Upper part of the Lower Hanger ie the "TOP HALF of the Bottom Round Half" FLUSH.
5. ie: I left the part of the Round Lower Top half connected to the Loop Ring. This is part Stamp Welded at two Spots. This gives it strength I figured.
6. I used (2) 2-1/2" CARQUEST muffler clamps and put saddles on bottom of pipe.
7. I made sure thermal expansion gap faced same way as other ones did so when pipe gets hot pipe it can expand. Great feature kept! I just looked across to other one to make sure this was correct since you are on your back. GAP FORWARD SO PIPE CAN GO BACK.
8. I could of used just one clamp I think but with 2 I know it is a hanger in the future not a clamp.

I shimmied around and looked at others except for the rear ones.

Keep putting that off for some reason, oh I know it SUCKS!

I'm doing this on gravel!

I think what I will do is just replace the lower STRAPS on the other 5 and the bolts and nuts sometime in the near future, but not a pressing thing for rigfht now. I may just order them now. The one I fixed was broken. The lower strap separated.

I'd like to know what I would need to order off the dwg for my P30.

Is it item 10?  and are all 6 the same? I'd only need 5 since I modified the one.

I will not be ordering the entire bracket as I don't think I need the entire bracket.

The lower strap fails 1st and UP from there.

THANKS guys and Dave

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Get a piece of 1/4 plywood to lay on.  Really saves the body.  Another option is a set of rubber flooring squares that interlock together
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Norsk-Stor-240247-Multi-Purpose-Work-and-Play-Safety-Interlocking-Foam-Flooring-Recyclamat-16-Square-Feet-Gray-4-Piece-Set/13253270?action=product_interest&action_type=title&item_id=13253270&placement_id=irs-106-m1&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id&category=&client_guid=abc405bb-a933-41cc-a5e5-833e94e79327&customer_id_enc&config_id=2&parent_item_id=13253269&parent_anchor_item_id=13253269&guid=34d4ae82-d0af-4d44-b92d-f39fb2d865a6&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.1&findingMethod=p13n

[lngfish]

Thanks,

Both are great suggestions! Thank you.

I checked out the link too.

I feel bad about campingman taking my reply so personal.

Atleast I was not the only one with a negative reply. LOL.

Hopefully, bottom line he will do the right thing is all.

All I was doing with my reply was trying to help.

darn-it.

Bummer.

Bumms me out a bit.

oh well.

[Rickf1985]

I miss something?

[lngfish]

Rick,

You may have missed it.

http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php/topic,11261.0.html

[lngfish]

Anyway,

I ordered (5) of the 9360 "saddles". Covers of the lower clamps from GMpartseast.

Great site, thanks for the link!

Steve

[Rickf1985]

Yea I did and I am guessing we will not be hearing from him again! Thankfully. I may have gotten in trouble if I had seen that one.

[M & J]

Holy cow. I missed it also.

[Rickf1985]

That is actually a thread of its own, did he change his name and then post that? I guess Mark has not been on since that went up.

[Rickf1985]

And he is listed as from Kentucky! Just sayin' W%

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

I reported it to the moderator as inappropriate yesterday

[lngfish]

I believe he was "Campingman" then changed his name and picture. At least he got the picture spot on.

[TerryH]

I first saw it posted in the recent topics under the name"a##hole". Disappeared quickly, assumed Mark or Dave caught it.
Avatar was obviously a self portrait - face first.