Muffler Repair

[egaito]

We had a survey done last week on our '58, for insurance purposes.

The survey itself was a nightmare, that won't end, but that's another thread.....

One of the surveyors findings was that we have a crack in one of our mufflers. His recommendation of course, it to replace the muffler, but that's not an easy task in this boat, and I want to repair ours in place.

I know to grind the crack and surrounding area at an angle to clean it up and create a good bonding area for the new fiberglass, but have a question about the resin.

Will standard resins work, or do I need a high-temp formula?

Any other advise from those that have travelled this road before me?

Thanks,

 

[luckydave215]

I had a crack where the inlet tube goes into one of mine, and repaired it with West System epoxy/glass roving. So far so good.

 

[thoward]

2nd on the West Systems. I will not even buy polyester resin after using epoxy.....

 

[luckydave215]

Todd, (and other 60C owners) check the inlet tubes on your forward mufflers. The long run of reinforced hose from the elbow below the showerhead has a lot of leverage on them even though they are supported by a wood mount glassed into the bilge, and you may find cracks where the straight fiberglass tube enters the muffler body, that's where mine cracked.
I found mine when I was repairing the spot of bulkhead rot and had the aluminum trim rings off the bulkhead, the crack was under the ring and not visible until it was removed. The cracks were very small.
Look for signs of dried salt.

 

[thoward]

I will be changing the exaust hoses within the next year so thanks for the heads-up.

 

[Ross Macdonald]

Both of mine had horizontal cracks at the forward end of the tubes. This was caused by the previous owner constantly tghtening the T bolt clamps and making it worse. I had the same problem on my old 43 convertible as well. We re glassed with vinylester resin on the inside of both tubes and glassed in an extension of exhaust tubing to extend another foot forward. It sleeved over the tube of the muffler and was reglassed on the outside. Then put new trident blue hi-temp hose up to the stainless riser where the mixer is. No more leaks and it seems to be holding up well. We have put about 1200 hrs. on them. Hope that helps...

 

[surfdancer45]

I patched both my m,ufflers with West 8 years ago and have not had any problems. Just make sure you rough up the muffler surfsces good and don't skimp on the glass. Bob

 

[Starman]

Ditto,

West is Best.

My Choice for the fiberglass material is the biaxial with a matt backing. Incredible holding power and structural strength.