Gold Muffler?

[MaineGuy]

I've got a 1981 Ford 1200 16hp 2cyl diesel, that needs a new muffler. I realize that this is an odd ball tractor over sized lawn joby and not many were made, parts are going to be expensive etc, etc. But, the $500 that my NH dealer just quoted seems extreme. Do they make them out of Gold now? It's a horizontal type which is great for keeping it from being knocked around. I can get a muffler and kit to switch it to a verticle arangement for just over $200. Still seems like a lot of money. Do I have any other options. Maybe buy all the neigbors hearing protectors. How important is it to have a specific factory replacement?

Thanks for any help.

MaineGuy

 

[MrJimi]

An 1981 is not in my opinion a have to get "exact replacement part". Did you try your local muffler shop?
I used to live in Biddeford, Maine
Jim

 

[normde2001]

Get whatever will fit, for the cheapest price.

 

[RobJ]

A little glass pack works ok.

 

[sandman2234]

I got the same quote,($500) for my 1100 which is almost the same tractor. I got lucky and found a used one off of a 1200 on one of my trips to the used tractor heaven. I had it shipped to the new owner, for a total of $65 and it was in a lot better shape than the one that came off it.
I considered building one out of retangular tubing 3.5x6 or so, and putting the chrome guard back on that. If I hadn't found that one, or sold the tractor to a good friend, that is what I was planning.
I am going to have to build him an adapter, as the exhaust manifold needs about an inch longer reach to get the muffler in the right place. Plus the boltholes are just different enough not to fit. Durn close, but not exact.
May have come off a different tractor, but it was laying near the 1200 and looked right to me, not having both of them there to compare.
David from jax

 

[MaineGuy]

Thanks for the advice.
I stopped at Motor Supply tonight and talked to the guys there. They think they can put something together for me. A little welding and a couple clamps and they said they can do it for less than $500. With a little luck less than $100. I'll take the old one into the shop so everything can be matched.

So, MrJimi you're from Northern Massachusetts?

I love TBN. You guys are great help.

MG

 

[MrJimi]

Thanks for the advice.
I stopped at Motor Supply tonight and talked to the guys there. They think they can put something together for me. A little welding and a couple clamps and they said they can do it for less than $500. With a little luck less than $100. I'll take the old one into the shop so everything can be matched.

So, MrJimi you're from Northern Massachusetts?

I love TBN. You guys are great help.

MG

Ah- Hemm
The gateway to Maine

 

[sandman2234]

So what did you decide to do?
David from jax

 

[MaineGuy]

The friendly guys at Motor Supply found a muffler for me. Close enough in size to the original. I need to reduce the intake pipe from 2.25 in. down to around 1.5 and weld on the flange that bolts to the engine. There is also a gusset from the muffler to the intake pipe for strength and 4 nuts that hold the sheild, that need to be welded. I've got $84 into the repair so far.

I've never welded...wonder if this is a good project to start with. Got any suggestions for muffler pipe welding?

MG

 

[Soundguy]

If the manifold is good.. and the bolt holes int he manifold are good.. I'd make or buy a non oem muffler.. even if it was a straight stack.

No rocket science to cut out a custom flange out of flat stock, drill to match manifold bolt pattern, then relieve center for the exhaust gas.. then make a pipe and weld.. or buy a premade pipe / muffler and weld.

I've seen -many- non oem setups like that.

A muffler shop could do this in the blink of an eye if it is a good mom-n-pop store.. and not a chain -wannabee- muffler shop.

Soundguy

I've got a 1981 Ford 1200 16hp 2cyl diesel, that needs a new muffler. I realize that this is an odd ball tractor over sized lawn joby and not many were made, parts are going to be expensive etc, etc. But, the $500 that my NH dealer just quoted seems extreme. Do they make them out of Gold now? It's a horizontal type which is great for keeping it from being knocked around. I can get a muffler and kit to switch it to a verticle arangement for just over $200. Still seems like a lot of money. Do I have any other options. Maybe buy all the neigbors hearing protectors. How important is it to have a specific factory replacement?

Thanks for any help.

MaineGuy

 

[Soundguy]

I've never welded...wonder if this is a good project to start with. Got any suggestions for muffler pipe welding?

MG

If yuo are talking about welding steel.. thin steel at that.. use a small rod.. like 1/16 or maybee 5/64.. and a low amp setting. i like 30a and 1/16 for sheetmetal and the like.. and up to 70a and 5/64 for heavier sheet metal.. but watch for burnthru. This is all ac/stick advice.. etc.

I havn't welded sheetmetal with a mig.

As long as you don't have to weld anything to a cast portion.. you should be ok.

Soundguy

 

[Normmm]

if the mounting flange is a square 4 bolt flat steel plate with the muffeler monted to it witha L pipe then I bet that one the grey mardet replace mufflers for about 80 bucks woile fit it. Check out Hoye dot com.

 

[MaineGuy]

if the mounting flange is a square 4 bolt flat steel plate with the muffeler monted to it witha L pipe then I bet that one the grey mardet replace mufflers for about 80 bucks woile fit it. Check out Hoye dot com.

It is a sguare 4 bolt flat steel plate. The problem is that the pipe drops slightly from the manifold to the muffler to allow the hood to close. A straight shot won't work. The pipe needs to bend downward about an inch away from the manifold. I have not measured the angle.

I'll probably find a pipe/muffle shop and get the job finished. I'm satisfied that the Walker muffer that I purchased will work.
I just can't let the tractor get out of the yard work because of a 3 inch hole in the muffler. The patch held up fine over the past weekend. We've got too much grass to mow and other chores to get done before the MaineGal's folks come from Ohio for their annual August visit.

 

[sandman2234]

The muffler I found from a 1200 wasn't a bolt on part for my 1100, so I never installed it before I sold it. I gave the newer muffler to the new owner and told him that I would assist in making an adapter. I asked him to draw one up and this is what he came up with.

I thought about the stress on that tubing, and the welds taking the brunt of the weight and abuse of the muffler, and decided to do it differently. He is in Alaska on a cruise for his 30th aniversary and I couldn't ask him any questions, so I just did it. Hopefully it will fit.

I started with a piece of 3.5" x 2" x 30" flat bar, cut a small piece off it and did a clean up on the thickness and took 1/2" off the width. Then started drilling and tapping.
Each of the small holes are threaded 3/8-16 and the bolt pattern on the other side matches the smaller bolt pattern. If he can't thread a bolt into it due to lack of room to access the bolt head, I figure he can use long set screws and leave part of them extended, and use a nut on the outside of the other flange. I didn't have a long set screw of that size handy or I would have posted an example to show. The center hole is 1.5" i.d., so should be enough to allow free breathing. I may need to round off the corners, and maybe take some of the weight off it, by hollowing out between the bolt holes, but for now I want to see if it fits ok before I do any more work on it.
Hopefully his drawing is close enough that my work doesn't need to be redone. However, if it needs to be redone, it is a small price to pay for a friend like him.
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

Doesn't work as is, will have to modify it. Should have made it to his drawings! (just kidding!)
The manifold requires bolts to thread into it, which is something I couldn't see, and he didn't mention, but was not a fator in his drawings.
I am waiting on an answer to see if long set screws will work, with me cutting out clearence for an allen wrench.
David from jax

 

[Trahere]

Is that a solid chunk of gold! Sell it and buy a new tractor!


I may not make any friends with this post, but I can sure beat em with it!

 

[sandman2234]

Waiting on the price of gold to go down, so I can get a smaller tractor. Right now the only one they would trade me for is a big one.
David from jax