1973 Exhaust Tips Technical Manual

[George H.]

I know its late to make changes since the 1973-1974 technical information manual 3rd Edition has already been published, but, let me go on record as to an issue that may come up during judging of the 73 exhaust tips. In 2015, I had D&M Corvette of Downers Grove IL do a mechanical update on my 73. One of the items was to replace the original exhaust system. I purchased the Corvette in 1980 in Gainesville FL so I know the exhaust was original to the car. Having recently relocated to Ocala, FL from Wheaton IL, I am organizing my work garage and came across the old tips that D&M took off the car and saved for me. Picture attached.

The current 3rd edition 1973-1974 manual on page 212, Exhaust Tips - 1973 only, states that part numbers were not present on the original production 1973 exhaust tips nor was weld spots. However, one tip that came off my car has a GM part number 330997 stamped on it while the other one does not have the 330998 stamping. Note there are no weld spots on the rectangular portion of either tip. I have GM stamped replacement spots on the car now and yes they do have weld spots.

On page 213, I'm not sure the wording, "neither weld spots and stamped part number is consistent with original production 1973 exhaust tips". I'm not sure that is totally correct. In my case, my 73 was build the last month of the production run in July and GM may have run out of original parts and started using replacements parts with only a few weeks left in production. Again, note the absence in the picture of weld spots on both parts, but, one is showing a part number the other one not.

Question, "do you loose points if the car has GM replacement Spouts showing part numbers"?

George Hunt
My 73 LS4, M21
Ocala, FL

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1973 Exhaust Tips Technical Manual

George,

Go back a page in the manual, where the description starts. Note that it states the bottom of the tip has a seam.
Re-read it to see what it means regarding spot welds.

The number is not correct. I'm quite sure that tip was replaced between 1973 and 1980.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: 1973 Exhaust Tips Technical Manual

The question is, "Does your car represent typical factory production?"

Answer that and you have your answer. The judges might cut you some slack because your car is late int he production run, but no one can predict that.

My guess, without seeing it, is that you will lose a lot more points for the rest of the exhaust system that was replaced than you will for the tips.

[Ed D.]

Re: 1973 Exhaust Tips Technical Manual

George,
I agree with Patrick, that the tips were probably replaced before your purchased the car in 1980. Your tips though configured differently, were made of the same material. I purchased my corvette new in 72, the original tips only lased 4 years, before the rotted through the tops. The fuel back then still had lead in the gas until 1975 which I contribute to the rot. I had to replace the whole exhaust system in 1980, including another set of tips. The last time I changed the tips out, stainless steel tips were available, which I happily purchased, but have reverted back to the chrome for judging and show.
Ed

[George H.]

Re: 1973 Exhaust Tips Technical Manual

Thank you both for your comments. As Patrick stated, the tip was probably replaced before I purchased the car. For a 73 car that is going on 50 years old, hard to believe that a vehicle can still have its original tail pipes and mufflers assuming it is driven. My 73 is not a survivor but doing my best to keep it looking original. I was not aware you loose valuable points for something like replacing an exhaust system. Looks original and sounds great. I was told by D&M that did the restoration the exhaust system was to be all GM replacement parts. I'm sure I will find a lot of takeaway points if-and-when I have the car judged.

George
gator943

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 Exhaust Tips Technical Manual

Thank you both for your comments. As Patrick stated, the tip was probably replaced before I purchased the car. For a 73 car that is going on 50 years old, hard to believe that a vehicle can still have its original tail pipes and mufflers assuming it is driven. My 73 is not a survivor but doing my best to keep it looking original. I was not aware you loose valuable points for something like replacing an exhaust system. Looks original and sounds great. I was told by D&M that did the restoration the exhaust system was to be all GM replacement parts. I'm sure I will find a lot of takeaway points if-and-when I have the car judged.

George
gator943

George-----


Do you recall if the exhaust system when you bought the car had the rear exhaust pipe welded directly to the muffler or was it clamped or welded about a foot forward of the muffler? If it was welded at the muffler, that would almost certainly indicate an original exhaust system. If it was clamped or welded about a foot forward of the muffler, at least the mufflers had been replaced. Of course, if the tips had been in good shape one or both could have been transferred to the replacement mufflers.

[James G.]

Re: 1973 Exhaust Tips Technical Manual

My brother's 73 L82 with 35k miles has the original tips, the car was stored in a car bubble with dessicant pouches since 1990 and got 1000 miles in those 30 years and they are in absolutely terrible condition, however they have no part numbers, they have a welded seam front to rear in the center of the bottom and are welded around the rear perimeter... I have been looking for some better originals, if one thought 70-72 tips were scarce... try 73's.

[Robert G.]

Re: 1973 Exhaust Tips Technical Manual

absolutely i can post pictures of my exhaust tips if you would like to see them

[Glenn B.]

Re: 1973 Exhaust Tips Technical Manual

I had a 73, L82 with 12,000 org. miles, all original, the right tip had a hole about the size of a pencil eraser. Sent them to Richard Fortier, he rebuilt
them for me, put them back on before the 2010 Charlotte Nationals, no deductions. Mine clamped on, really looked Great, Richard send me pictures
through the process, he made the jigs from my originals. I have pics of them somewhere, not sure where, Richard my have them as well.

1973 L82 Conv. Top Flight 2010 Nationals