OK to drive a bus with a section of exhaust pipe missing?

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by family wagon

I don't see anything wrong with welding sections of pre-made exhaust tubing.

I'm sure it's a better technique than clamping - it was the fact that I stopped this dude specifically from attempting to weld up my exhaust that made me glad. If he'd even been able to do a good job of it, he would have lied about how long it took him and gouged me on the price (my build thread has a long post about his work, not that I recommend reading it).

[banman]

If you have all the parts and pieces to (elbows, pipe) assemble the exhaust.
You can fit them up and tack weld them together and then take that assembly to a pro welder if you're uncertain that you can't do an air tight weld around the tube. Then have the ends flanged or add an adapter so you can attach the assembly with band clamps to the existing exhaust.

The flex pipe will be fine till you're ready to replace all the floor.
The flex joints trap dirt/moisture while being thinner metal -- it's a bandaid of sorts...
On a regular car it might only last a year or two of salty winters but if your bus is mostly parked in AZ it would last longer --

[cadillackid]

I never weld exhaust.. and really dont like when people do... if you have to take something apart or move it or a small portion of pipe gets damaged or rists out then its a royal pain to fix..


Band clamps all the way for me...

[MacC]

I was a parts manager for Freightliner in 90"s Donaldson makes excellent exhaust parts and their line of filters are second to known. I have sold 100,000's of dollars of Donaldson products. Yes, clamps are for sealing, u-bolts are for mounting.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

I never weld exhaust.. and really dont like when people do... if you have to take something apart or move it or a small portion of pipe gets damaged or rists out then its a royal pain to fix..


Band clamps all the way for me...

It should come as no surprise that I trust you over this dude.

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

It should come as no surprise that I trust you over this dude.

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[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

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[motorsoup]

there could be an upside to recognizing the work being done was near a scam: 1st, congratulations on cutting off the work and retrieving your bus. 2nd, this is a good time to buy a welder and learn. I bought a Lincoln 225 stick welder a L O N G time ago, and it has served me well. So if this can be the inspiration to pick up a new tool and skill, then wha la... bingo baker, moving on down the road.