Mufflers rusting out

[sgtsandman]

I was going through Walker mufflers every couple years here and I switched to a stainless muffler. It was extra even on top of my warranty but worth it in the long run.

Pay for it all up front or break it up into payments by replacing the exhaust every 2 or 3 years. Either way, you are paying the same amount of money over the amount of time it takes for stainless to rust out. Maybe even more if the cheap exhaust rusts out every 2 years.

 

[gaz]

@PhilinPA
Hello, treat this as two separate issues:
1) do not drive it until the coolant issue is resolved. If you have a simple leak, that is great as replacing your entire cooling system is around $300, $400 if you take the leap and circular file the crankshaft driven fan/clutch, replacing them with a suitable electric fan.
2) either build yourself a custom stainless steel exhaust, buy a premade kit or commission your Bubba Depot to handle/do it for you. Chalk it up to "lessons learned" and cut your losses ..)

 

[Blmpkn]

Stainless all the way.

Even manufacturers.. who make money selling replacement parts.. have made the switch to equipping (lower grade) stainless exhausts to all new vehicles. It's just a good 'look' for the company and also equates to lower cost of ownership in the long run, which is a big selling point these days. That's partially why new Fords don't 'need' fluids other than the engine oil changed until 150k... "It's cheap to run!"

 

[PhilinPA]

Thanks for the responses. I hope to start tearing the truck down this winter and dealing with all of its troubles and issues. Maybe a new water pump, gaskets, dealing with the frame rust and who knows what else. It's a stick shift and I really cannot give that up. And since it is a 1990 and has been paid for at least 30 years it does not owe me anything. I need to do something in my spare time.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

What I would like to know is if the radiator level changes if you don't add that extra antifreeze water whatever you want to call it.

Before I went to prison I had a mustang and if I filled the radiator up as soon as I drove the car it would push about 2 in of antifreeze water mix out the overflow tube.

My brother pointed out to me that his truck at the time which he was driving a ranger would do the same thing if he added anything to the radiator.

He didn't add no radiator fluid water antifreeze mix and drove his truck every day.
His truck was happy with the radiator being filled up to only 2 inches away from the fill neck opening.

What I'm saying is each vehicle in itself has a happy level to the radiator some want to be completely full and some don't.

Once again my big fingers posted this post before I was done writing.

I'm now adding to it by editing it.

My suggestion is using an air gun as was previously stated to make sure that you're overflow tank is free flowing from the radiator.

Leave the overflow tank empty, fill up the radiator go for a drive and when you get out see if the overflow reservoir tank whatever you want to call it has anything in it.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

Added to my previous post in this thread.