'74 Muffler

[omg1]

I am trying to get the motor of my 74 Thing back together. It's the stock block rebuilt to 1640 and I will be running a Weber 2bbl on it. It will be hooked up to a freeway flyer trans. Everything else is pretty much stock (with the exception of a wider cooling fan and an alternator.) I've stripped and repainted or cleaned every part that can be unbolted from the engine, and am almost ready to get everything assembled. A while ago I purchased one of the exhaust systems from the Thing Shop, the one with 2 mufflers that tuck up along the cylinders (It's still new in the bag.) The more I think about it, the more it seems like this will complicate my valve adjustments. Thus I've been thinking about throwing on something closer to stock. My question is, would a stock Type 1 muffler fit, and still exit through the bumper, or will I have to pony up the extra $$$ for a Thing-specific one? Or, are my fears unwarranted and will I be able to get to the valves easily? I'll be running the heater boxes. Any opinions would be appreciated!!

[bciesq]

You will not be able to get to the valves easily -- trust me, I have that system and it's going off as soon as my new header arrives.

If you want a split header design, go stock with this:

http://www.vwispwest.com/cgi-bin/perlshop.cgi?ACTI...=290499745

The problem is that you have a '74 and the stock '73 system didn't have heat.

This pretty much leaves you with the stock '74 system if you want the pipes exiting the bumper

http://germanmotorworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_26&products_id=341

or this:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=182538

Gene Berg also makes a nice header system for the Thing, but their web site doesn't have pricing info.
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'73 Thing -- making 45 mph exciting again.

[Bowman74]

[omg1]

Thanks for the input. I was kind of afraid that the mufflers would be pretty close to the valves. I figured maybe I could use anti-seize on everything and loosen and move them out of the way for valve adjustments. The muffler in the link looks pretty nice, maybe I'll start saving my pennies for one of those.

[ztnoo]

If you want to go back to the original set up, look at this:
http://germanmotorworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_26&products_id=341