I'm not sure what the component is called, but it's this big manifold-lookin piece between the headers and the mufflers, and I don't know why they made it out of anything different than the rest of the exhaust system, but the entire thing is heavily rusted, including a nice quarter-sized hole right in the middle (hence why i'm posting).

I'm thinking that somehow fastening a piece of plate steel to it will be my best (if not only) way to maybe fix it. First I thought maybe use self-tapping screws or something, but the metal is probably to thin from the rust to have that hold up well. Now I'm considering JB Weld (it's epoxy, but with steel-based resin so its much tougher). The stuff has a max working temperature of about 600 F ... Do you guys know how hot it gets around there? If it's within that range, I was actually considering coating the whole manifold (or whatever its called) with a layer of it to prevent further rusting. It's almost totally outa sight, and flat grey epoxy wouldn't look any worse than heavy rust. Opinions?

I know a hole there's effect on performance is probably negligable, but it sounds trashy enough that I'd like to try and fix it.


so ya... main question here is how hot do you think my CX500's exhuast system gets to just before the mufflers?

thanks a lot
-Jon

Headers can get red hot on most cars.. This pipe is attached to the headers... steel conducts heat quite well...

Thats all I can tell you.

i used jb quick when i de-smoged one of my 85 caprices and i used it to plug all the little pipes that come off the manifolds (not sure the name) which get fucking hot and it never failed.

Well, you could find out if it gets over 212*F by taking it for a spin and then pouring some water on it.

If you want to crack it, that is.

Why can't everyone use the same terminology, it confuses me

Headers = exhaust manifold
Muffler = back box

Gack.

Muffler = silencer, surely, as a back box is a muffler/silencer but at the back of a twin box system.

I don't think exhaust pipe is that prone to thermal shock.

I dunno, if it's cast iron it might be.

Think your best bet is (assuming the hole is on a straight section) is just to cut a steel can down the long axis, after removing both ends, then wrap it around the pipe after applying some http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/resources/images/zoom/AGLGTP2.jpg around the hole and secure with jubilee clips (hose clips).