dibbons
Well-Known Member
Would like to know what the original cars used, diameter wise, before considering these manifolds for one of my project cars. Thank you.
What size head pipes and tail pipes used on the factory '68 340?
- Thread starter dibbons
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rustycowll69
Well-Known Member
I believe they were 2-1/4" headpipes
HemiSSDart
Dartus Interuptus
Tail pipes were 1-3/4" for 340 and 383
I think that is what the factory used, with a little squeeze at the driver side t-bar. Although the best fitting head gaskets are just a bit larger than that - available from Accurate (with a metal ring) and TTI (without a ring). Mufflers were 2.25 in as well, so the whole head-intermediate was pretty much 2.25" OD
Head pipes were 2.25” except around the starter where the flange pipe is 2” for clearance purposes.
The left 2” flange pipe was dented severely to clear the starter and torsion bar which was quite restrictive. The tailpipes were 2.25” halfway back and then downsized to 2” and then down sized some more at the end to 1-7/8” I.D. to accept the exhaust extensions. Sorry but the above dimensions were for 1969 340 Darts. The 1968 models were 2” headpipes and 1-7/8” tailpipes.
The left 2” flange pipe was dented severely to clear the starter and torsion bar which was quite restrictive. The tailpipes were 2.25” halfway back and then downsized to 2” and then down sized some more at the end to 1-7/8” I.D. to accept the exhaust extensions. Sorry but the above dimensions were for 1969 340 Darts. The 1968 models were 2” headpipes and 1-7/8” tailpipes.
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HemiSSDart
Dartus Interuptus
Tom, we have been through this before. I have a set of NOS tailpipes on my 69 GTS and everything you said above does not concur with what I have. Can you post the factory drawings? When I bought the headpipes and mufflers from you over a decade ago I had to use two reducers to fit the NOS tailpipes on. I had gotten these tailpipes in 1980 from Chrysler with the factory applied part number tags still on them. I am not here to bust balls, but to find out the real dimensions!
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The real dimensions are as described above for 1969 models with exhaust tips. These specs are taken from original assembly line components that we have in stock and confirmed by numerous catalogs such as Arvin Industries that actually produced these parts for Chrysler. My guess would be that if you had to use adapters to downsize the rear of the 2.25" replacement mufflers to fit the nos tailpipes you probably had 1968 nos tailpipes which were 1-7/8" OD.
The 1968 340 Darts and Barracudas were equipped with 2” headpipes and 1-7/8” tailpipes. In 1969 they changed to 2 1/4” headpipes except for the left flange pipe which was 2” for about 18”. The tailpipes were also 2-1/4” out of the mufflers and then changing to 1-7/8” about halfway back.
Hope this helps.
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Have a set of original 383 pipes that for some reason I have not trashed. The tail pipes are 2 piece the main pipes look like they where lifted by a forklift from underneath. Tom and I discussed this when I bought a new set from him and thought his offering was not the same. He explained some changes and I am pleased with his offering and just had a little issue with the left side taile pipe. We had also discussed the fact I was a little modified under the hood and he addressed that. They are not spot on the same but fit correctly and I am pleased.
My only complaint would be the head pipe hardware was substandard. One of the nuts is very deformed.
My only complaint would be the head pipe hardware was substandard. One of the nuts is very deformed.
I have owned two '68 cuda factory BB cars, still wearing the original exhaust. After examining these cars and long talks with Accurate Exhaust I have come to this conclusion. While both of my cars have full 1 7/8" systems (the tips are 1 7/8"), the existence of NOS pieces in 2 1/4" leads me to believe that the factory used whatever parts that were available at the time. A person can debate this subject all they want, but there is no conclusive answer. If you feel that the system was 2 1/4", then you have to accept that after going over the rear end the tailpipe must reduce to 1 7/8" to fit the chrome tips. The judgement call is yours. For me and my "correct" restoration, I went with a full system from Accurate, 2 1/4" all the way including 2 1/4" tips. So much for being "correct".
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