flex exhaust coupling

[biobill]

i've seen some pictures showing very nice flexible exhaust couplings, similar to what you might find on some automotive headpipes. they appear to have a woven stainless cover. short of buying a $160 headpipe and cutting out what i need, where might i find such an item. thanks, bill

[phaedrus]

Hi Biobill,

There's flex n' there's flex. If you don't mind it leaking and can weld or braze it to pipe nipples just go to pep boys or whatever.

If you want proper stuff, a stainless bellows rated for pressure and temperature, look in the MSC catalogue. (MSC Supply) . If you like I can look it up, but then, so can you. Cat is online in pdf. That's where I got the real thing. Not too pricy either.

Best, Phaedrus

[biobill]

thanks Phaedrus, yea, even if it smells like onion rings, it can't leak. i'll be breathing it if it does (not to mention listening to those annoying CO detectors) and CO is CO no matter how good it smells.

[BruceM]

Verocious Motorsports on ebay carries the stainless steel bellows type couplers, with a woven stainless liner.  I used the 10" x 2" ID one.  Make sure you seal all exhaust fittings with high temp silicone, else you'll have a mess and CO to boot. 

Best Wishes

[phaedrus]

Hey Bruce! That's a great source! Better n' I had, even tho I only needed one and sorta ordered an extra on the job...

[rcavictim]

On my 4-cyl VW diesel power plant I used a 2 inch by 10 inch long automotive flex section (ss braid over a ss bellows pipe inside) as is since there was little motion to take care of.  On my bouncing petter I used the same part but carefully removed the SS braid with a cutoff disc in a 4 inch angle grinder.  As careful as I was I did puncture the inside belows at one end but was able to braze it shut with oxy-acetylene.  It takes a huge amount of motor jumping now without any problems.  The braid makes these couplers really stiff which could rip the exhaust manifold off the head on a jumper..