Hello,,

Stupid question but this might save me some time....

I am trying to remove my 2 1/2 inch tail pipes and they are in there VERY tight. I tried taking some channel locks to them and twisting them but that did not work. I tried hitting them with a mallot but that did not work. Is the only option to take a torch and heat up the metal? I really don't want to take a torch to it because that is so close to the gas tank. BTW, they wern't welded on,,just clamped.

You did'nt mention if you were trying to save these pieces to re-install.If not,you can use a air chisel with a cutting tool.Loud as heck,but gets the job done.

If they are rusted on they wont come that easy..I would use a sawzall to cut them at the clamping point, then reinstall with a sleeve and new clamps.

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70 chevelle ss396 conv
66 chevelle ss396 hdp/conv
55 chevy prostreet

The clamps actually crimp the pipes together. If you look where the clamp was you can see the indentation in the pipes and it will keep them from sliding apart. If you are going to reuse both pipes drive a punch into the seam and collapse the inner pipe so it will slide off. You can straighten the inner pipe before you reassemble by driving something the size of the O.D.into it or if you happen to have a pipe expander use it. It will also make installation easier to work the crimp out of the outer pipe.

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Philip Valentine
Gold Member #42
"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another."
philip@chevelles.com

Heating it cherry red and driving it out always works best for me. Driving it to a muffler shop works even better. I'm serious, I've fought with pipes for hours, only to watch them dismantle an entire exhaust system in minutes. Sometimes, you can split the outer pipe with a ziz wheel and slip the inner one out.

What is a ziz wheel? I'm a firm believer in letting a shop do the exhaust work, I'm getting to old to lay under the car and fight with them pipes and that air chisel knocks every bit of rust and dirt under the car off. Air chisels are also designed to exhaust the air in such a manner as to gather up all the dirt and rust and blow it into your face.

It's a die grinder with a cutoff wheel.A Dremel tool with some heavy duty cutoff wheels would serve the same purpose, but take longer.

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1972 Malibu (1 st. car) Project waiting to happen
Team Chevelle # 427
A.C.E.S. # 1282

Thanks Doug, and ditto 64EC.