Re: Stewart's 1955 Packard 400

Posted by HH56 On 2016/2/9 15:52:25

Several have also recommended Waldron Exhaust as a good vendor. I looked into both Waldron and Classic since Kepich is NLA. I had used Kepich on the 56 and unlike others had very little problem so would have used them again. Body was off on that install.

Waldron is a bit more expensive but if it fits without issue as some have said then maybe worth the extra. Since your body is off and you have full access from the top, if you are looking for an absolute repro Waldron would probably be the choice. Their exhaust pipes run the length in one piece. Don't remember if that length is an issue if you have resonators but without them the single length from muffler to exit could be fairly long. Don't remember what that is on a 55 but if over about 3 1/2 - 4 feet you also pay for that single length in freight. Waldrons ships by truck so their freight was over twice the charge as Classic. They do offer to cut the exhaust pipe down to a shorter length for shipping but even doing that their freight was still much higher.

I have body on with the 47 and it would have been difficult to install the 5' length of exhaust pipe on that car in one piece without a lift etc so went with Classic and ordered off ebay. Shipped via UPS and they provide a slip joint in the now two piece exhaust pipe. Haven't installed it yet to see if the bends go south after the first one but looks nicely made.

One thing Classic could do better would be to offer the correct size clamps as an option with their pipes. Nothing comes with the tubing so you are on your own to buy those. Waldrons has a section where you can order clamps as needed at a decent price.