1966 Muffler Black Out

[Don L.]

Hi all. I'm a chrome bumper C3 guy, now working on a sweet '66 L79 coupe. Seems I've finally crossed over to the the other side

Working my way through the details on this car, I have a question.

I'm trying to understand how/if mufflers were blacked out at St. Louis and have found what seems to be conflicting information. My sources of info and confusion are separated by 10 years worth of knowledge gain and experience by this group. The 6th edition '66 JG tells me that "typically, muffler sides were blacked out, although significant variations in the degree of coverage occurred on the top and bottom. The application was sloppily sprayed with runs and drips typically found and may extend to nearby components as well."

When I research the archives, I find this link/thread from 2011: https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...+muffler+black. This thread suggests outboard sides and bottom(?) only were sprayed?

I guess what I'm looking to understand is what kind of black out material and what actual black out coverage should be seen when trying to best-replicate factory black out on the 1966 standard exhaust set up?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

[Don H.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

good to have you on the bright side Don.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

MotorTrend64ExhaustBlackout.jpgmuffler blackout.jpgIIRC, the conventional wisdom was that the blackout of the exhaust system gradually reduced in coverage from 1963 to 1967. I have an original '64 exhaust system in one of my cars, and there are several examples of '64s I have and have seen, here is a picture, I do not have any good pictures of any later than '64.

[Don L.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Thanks guys!

Don - you funny. I said "other" side. You took it as "bright" side. Frankly, between C2 and C3, they're BOTH "bright". I'm gaining the love for C2's now.

Mike, thanks a ton for the useful pics and description. I'lll keep my eyes open for additional posts, hoping I can get some '66-specific advice to add to yours.

I want to provide full disclosure - this is not my car. It belongs to a fellow NCRS member and he just bought the car. He's brand new to the restoration/judging process and we're working together on it in my garage.

Thanks!

[Hank D.]

[Gary B.]

[Danny P.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Hi all. I'm a chrome bumper C3 guy, now working on a sweet '66 L79 coupe. Seems I've finally crossed over to the the other side

Working my way through the details on this car, I have a question.

I'm trying to understand how/if mufflers were blacked out at St. Louis and have found what seems to be conflicting information. My sources of info and confusion are separated by 10 years worth of knowledge gain and experience by this group. The 6th edition '66 JG tells me that "typically, muffler sides were blacked out, although significant variations in the degree of coverage occurred on the top and bottom. The application was sloppily sprayed with runs and drips typically found and may extend to nearby components as well."

When I research the archives, I find this link/thread from 2011: https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...+muffler+black. This thread suggests outboard sides and bottom(?) only were sprayed?

I guess what I'm looking to understand is what kind of black out material and what actual black out coverage should be seen when trying to best-replicate factory black out on the 1966 standard exhaust set up?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

The black out on the rear exhaust system was messy sprayed everywhere, even the leaf spring got over sprayed, factory wanted to cover the muffler as much as it could .

attachment (2).jpg

[Jack M.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

The black out on the rear exhaust system was messy sprayed everywhere, even the leaf spring got over sprayed, factory wanted to cover the muffler as much as it could .

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FYI- I've posted this early 1966 Corvette image in the past... to be exact, it comes from a September 28, 1965 body drop.

[Danny P.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

FYI- I've posted this early 1966 Corvette image in the past... to be exact, it comes from a September 28, 1965 body drop.

When on the assembly line when the black out was sprayed it spray everything at the one level on top they didn't go under was just to hide the view of the muffler .attachment.jpg

[Don L.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Thanks for this, Danny. When you say "...was to hide the view of the muffler", you mean the view from the side only? It seems from the photo, the silver color on the bottom would show a lot from the rear. Maybe?

[Don L.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

I wish I could help restore one and have someone else pay for parts. :-)

Gary

Gary, I AM finding added fun working on a car when I don't have to pay for the parts. That said, this car isn't going to need much.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Don,

The mufflers indeed are quite visible from the rear.

Gary

D04C67E1-43C2-4482-AF76-6CA47A085B04.jpg

[Don L.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Gary, thanks much for this pic. Very, very useful and greatly appreciated. The C2 muffler blackout is significantly different than C3. I'm learning!

BTW, that split window in Silver Blue looks terrific! I have a '63 Biscayne 409/425 in the same color and get many compliments on the color.

[Gary B.]

[Garry B.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

What is the general consensus on muffler black out on '67 ? Someone mentioned that there were different levels of black out for different model years.
Garry