After Market Exhaust System - 230 SL

[rjmarco]

I am having problems with the exhaust on my recently purchased 1965 230 SL.  The pipes from the exhaust manifold are rubbing against the underside body of the car.  As a consequence, I'm getting noise and vibration inside the passenger compartment. 

Anyone have experience with this problem and is there a resolution short of fully replacing the system with MBZ parts?

Regards,

Rich
Alamo, CA

[66andBlue]

Depends on what causes your problem. If it is a muffler with the wrong symmetry then perhaps re-welding might help.
It might help you reading this discussion:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=14248.0

[zoegrlh]

You can also place a rubber bumper on the forward muffler hanger.  You can purchase a bumper from Classic Center, the one that is used for the rear hanger at the chrome tips.  You will find that the MB bumper is solid rubber with a center hole in the middle about the size of the hanger bolt shaft, that is between the two pipes.  Cut off the **** from the top of the bumper, and place on the bolt end.  It will give you clearance to the body from the muffler and will not come off the bolt end.
Bob

[rjmarco]

Bob,

Appreciate your advice and insights.

Rich

[rjmarco]

Alfred,

Thanks for the helpful link.

Rich

[mdsalemi]

Rich,

I had a problem like this, but don't know if the problem was precisely as yours is.  The solution was found by first ensuring all the rubber donuts were present and in good shape (some were missing or broken on mine), and then selectively adjusting the system by loosening clamps, realigning, and retightening.

Note I could not do all the diagnosis on a lift; removing the wheels from the ground changed the dynamics of the situation.

[zoegrlh]

Michael,
You must have a clamp system.  Just have a new system placed on my SL.  MB parts and they are a welded system.  Once welded, no adjusting.
Bob

[mdsalemi]

Michael,
You must have a clamp system.  Just have a new system placed on my SL.  MB parts and they are a welded system.  Once welded, no adjusting.
Bob

Yes, I have an [aftermarket] Time Valve SS system with SS clamps.  The original poster rjmarco, has an aftermarket system as well.  I'm well aware of the welded OEM MB system, and may you pray that whoever installs it for you get it right!  I was telling rjmarco what I did with mine.  The bulk of my issue a couple of years ago was the self-destructing rubber donuts, some which went missing and others which were about to crack off.  That's the first place I'd look for any exhaust issues.

[zoegrlh]

Michael,
You are so right, the rubber donuts go first.  I did get my system on, by a Austrian mechanic living here in the Williamsburg area, that has had years experience with W113s and 111s.  I help in the process of placing the parts on, we had to take off system several times in order to get the pieces to fit perfectly, then to spot weld system.  We then had to take the system off again to complete the welding.  This became a 1 and a half day experience.  Problem is that a MB welded system has no extra mm of length on the pipes to play with unlike a clamped system. Hindsight maybe a SS clamped system would have been better and a lot quicker to put on.
Bob

[rjmarco]

Will be taking my 230 SL to a muffler shop next week.  This shop is recommended by my local MBZ technician and others.  The shops says they are well familiar with the 113 exhaust system, so I expect to set a direction soon.  Will advise. 

[rjmarco]

Just got my car back from the muffler shop.  I decided to install all new MBZ components.  The difference in sound is remarkable with the MBZ hardware and no exhaust system contact on the underside of the body. 

The shop owner offered me the option of bending my aftermarket system to keep it off the body.  However, I decided to not waste the labor on an after market system.  I'm pleased with the outcome down to the chrome tips on the muffler. 

Rich
Alamo, CA