TheSamba.com :: View topic - Help, My Exhaust Problems are Exhausting Me.

Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:13 am

Hey there. My name is Tracey and this is my first post on Samba. Looking for some knowledge and some kindness.

Alright, here's my situation...

My bus: 1978 champagne edition II.

The bus has spent its entire life in southern California until I moved back to NYC.

While I was teaching in the South Bronx, my bus sat outside in my parents' driveway in upstate NY for the better part of 2 years. Bad idea... As a result, my exhaust has several rust holes throughout the system. My heater boxes have holes along with a big gash in my muffler. The exhaust manifold is also beginning to acquire the cancer as I see tiny holes forming. Apparently, I donated my tailpipe when it rusted off in some random state throughout my travels.

Basically, I need a complete exhaust system from head to toe. I'd like to replace as many parts as possible with rust-free happy parts.

I want to do it right but spend a modest amount of money since I recently moved to PA and need to conserve my resources. But I love my bus and want to do the most efficient job. I've been thinking about ceramic coating, painting the exhaust with high temperature paint, or wrapping it with exhaust wrap. Not sure which will be the best for my bus. I want it to have a higher performance and last a long time. Can anyone help me figure out the best way to make my bus purr instead of pop as I cruise down the road?

Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:18 am

Start by searching through the forum for 'exhaust'. You will see a lot of posts regarding the dwindling availability of 76-79 exhaust parts. You may also want to look at the 72-74 exhaust system. Less parts to eventually leak, and somewhat better availability.

If you need new boxes, this project is not going to be cheap. Scope out the classifieds section, there are usually some there.

Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:07 pm

Tracey - check with bustedbus.com. They are really good people and usually stock a lot of good used parts. I trust them.

Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:11 pm

Well, after reading some forums, some websites (http://www.ratwell.com/ had helpful information) and talking with the folks at bus depot, I decided to go ahead and convert to a 72-74 exhaust system. I ordered new heat exchangers and a new muffler, along with some unrelated bonus goodies.

I've read about VHT paint and ceramic coating. I would like to paint these parts before I install them because I'm hoping it will prevent premature rust.

The parts should arrive in the following days. I'm trying to get started ASAP so I can squeeze in some summer traveling. Does anyone have any suggestions to make my expensive conversion stay healthy and last a long time?

Does anyone have experience with such things or can anyone offer some advice on painting procedures? Are there any potential problems I may encounter as a begin this process?

Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:46 pm

Don't get the cheapo exhaust coating stuff cause it'll burn off pretty quickly since bus exhausts get really hot.

Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:27 pm

I've done all the exhaust paint routes, even sandblasting first, the silver header paint stays on longest but unless you live in the desert it's still going to rust, maybe a bit slower but rust just the same.

Spend the extra $150-200 now and get the stuff ceramic coated.

Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:52 am

I work at Honeywell Areospace in Tempe, Az. Some parts manufactured here are coated with nickel or copper Never-Seez and put in big ovens and baked on to provide protection. Like Busdaddy said, not a problem in the southwest so I'v not tried this, but same theory. Paint a thin coat on and just drive around to bake it on the metal. FAA aproved!