VAC muffler

[kenbob]

Has anyone used a different muffler for the VAC other than the one that is common on the net? Those mufflers are nice and quiet but they rot out at the bottom fairly quickly as they retain moisture there. Wondering if there was something better out there. I have seen glass packs on VAC which would seem to take care of the rust out, but my experience with them is they are a lot lounder.

 

[kenbob]

Like to add that I did drill a small hole in the bottom of the muffler to help water drain.. Lasted about 4 years

 

[Richard G.]

Has anyone used a different muffler for the VAC other than the one that is common on the net? Those mufflers are nice and quiet but they rot out at the bottom fairly quickly as they retain moisture there. Wondering if there was something better out there. I have seen glass packs on VAC which would seem to take care of the rust out, but my experience with them is they are a lot lounder.

I put a Nelson muffler on my 51 VAC and it has held up many years.

 

[nick831]

Ditto the 1\8 inch hole at the back bottom of the outlet flange. Lasts a long time. Nick

 

[kenbob]

Did the hole thing but maybe not that big. Maybe that is the problem

 

[nick831]

Well you never know it could be a cheap wrapped muffler that rots out quickly. But even those have lasted a long time when I drill a 1\8 inch hole at the very bottom of the outlet flange. When I would start them the water would push out the hole and all was good. I guess it's worth a try again to see if it works. I remember older wrapped round mufflers that were built with heavy partial corrugated steel. When I was younger I bent and built exhaust systems for quite some time and noticed this style muffler would last a long time. The hole thing does work. Take care, Nick

 

[kenbob]

So I drilled my hole close to the inlet pipe at what was the bottom of the muffler. Is this the best drain spot?

 

[nick831]

I usually do mine in the outlet side as the pressure from the engine pushes the water to the back of the muffler anyway. I would do one more at the back also. This way water can't sit anywhere in the muffler and hopefully it will last a good long time. Nick

 

[vacfan]

I have had the same muffler for 30+ years, no rot. I do tie either a gallon plastic milk jug or cranberry juice bottle over the top every time i shut it off.