One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

[AgDieseler]

I've often thought a full oval exhaust would be kinda cool. Don't know why tho, because you can't see it once it's done.

Ive seen some long oval systems where space under a car is at a premium. Flat bottom aero lends itself to tight packaging. The parts selection is narrower, so I think most just look at it as a problem solving kind of thing - don’t need it until round doesn’t fit where you want to go.

Also, 100 CF of argon and 5 hours later.


30A silicone bronze for the leading edge to avoid sugaring the outside of the band. I’ll hone that down. Full penetration, so internal sugaring.


I’m very pleased with the result. On to the mid-pipe, which uses more oval to get up and around the 205.

David

 

[AgDieseler]

Exhaust work continues.









David

 

[Greg72]

Silver Lining: All this new heavy T304 stainless will really help to settle-out those rear springs!!

-G

 

[AgDieseler]

Silver Lining: All this new heavy T304 stainless will really help to settle-out those rear springs!!

I’ve got to maintain my 50/50 weight distribution. #conekiller

Meanwhile, exhaust work continues. This mid-pipe gets stuff just past the transfer case. It’s cozy ‘round those parts.



David

 

[AgDieseler]

Well, nuts. I woke up at 3:41AM and realized I forgot to include this flex coupler in the mid-pipe.

Not a tough adjustment, but just goes to show the value of laying out every single part.



David

 

[AugustDiesel]

Well, nuts. I woke up at 3:41AM and realized I forgot to include this flex coupler in the mid-pipe.

Not a tough adjustment, but just goes to show the value of laying out every single part.

View attachment 366654

David

I forgot about those when I built mine as well. I’ll be able to correct that in the next revision though.

 

[kgblazerfive]

I put my flex coupler further down the pipe and it seemed to still work well.

 

[AgDieseler]

I put my flex coupler further down the pipe and it seemed to still work well.

I wish that were an option (and it kind of is if I were to buy another coupler), but this is the last section of round 3” tubing. Everything after is oval or a different diameter. I’m just kicking myself I didn’t catch it earlier.

I forgot about those when I built mine as well. I’ll be able to correct that in the next revision though.

I cracked a couple hangers before I got one of these in place. The diesel makes a few vibrations.

David

 

[AgDieseler]

I’m glad I remade this - fewer bends, smoother profile, and pretty much the same clearances.





It all fits nicely, and I snagged a fresh 150cf of argon today. This section will take about 1/3 of that.

David

 

[Greg72]

Offerings made to the gods of the tuition pile are often handsomely rewarded.....


-G

 

[AgDieseler]

Offerings made to the gods of the tuition pile are often handsomely rewarded.....

...and even when those offerings are compulsory. More evidence for the notion that we're all just figuring this junk out as we go.

David

 

[mrk5]

...and even when those offerings are compulsory. More evidence for the notion that we're all just figuring this junk out as we go.

David

And the next time you do it, it'll be totally different again.

We always joke about that here when we figure out how to build some custom sign, "Now that we figured it out too bad we'll never need to do it again!"

 

[AgDieseler]

The exhaust is fully laid out, hung, and tacked. I have miles of welding to do. It’s going to be great.



David

 

[Greg72]

Tight.


-G

 

[BadDog]

You are a masochist with all those joints. Mine didn't have 1/3 as many, and I was more than over it before I got finished. And that was not stainless! Always a pleasure.

 

[AgDieseler]

Tight.

In some spots, very. It clears the important stuff, but it’s a close shave at the swaybar crossmember and the rear hangers.

You are a masochist with all those joints. Mine didn't have 1/3 as many, and I was more than over it before I got finished.

It will take the rest of this work week to finish welding this. I’ve got an audiobook lined up just for the occasion. It’ll be a good meditation.

David

 

[Greg72]

In some spots, very. It clears the important stuff, but it’s a close shave at the swaybar crossmember and the rear hangers.

lol... David I meant the “other” kind of tight...

Falling back into my California vernacular for a moment there, I suppose...

tight (aka: hella tight) - An outcome or item that is of the highest quality or degree of excellence.


TIGHT.


-G

 

[centexk5]

I think the vernacular with the kids these days is LIT.

 

[AgDieseler]

tight (aka: hella tight) - An outcome or item that is of the highest quality or degree of excellence.

You had me at hella...

Give me enough argon, and I can handle however many weeks of winter that large, weather-predicting squirrel says we’re in for.



70A, 55% on, 25% background, 1Hz, Furick 12, 35cfh, purge at 15, and a pretty generous post flow




This is one of five sections after the downpipe.

David

 

[Greg72]

Slow down.... before you run out of Argon or duty-cycle!!!

-G