Removing the exhaust system

[john108]

1968 Dodge Charger 440/727.

I started this post because I am anticipating a simple answer.
I have disconnected the entire exhaust system but it is still under the car and wrapped over the axle.  The H-pipe is still holding the 2 sides together.

My question is: What is the best way to separate the sections of the pipes or pipes from the mufflers.
I am thinking of heating it with a propane torch but hoping for a better or easier plan.
Thank you

[bill440rt]

Are you replacing it, or just trying to remove it?

If you're replacing it anyway, cut it off with a sawzall & be done with it.
If you are trying to salvage it, then I guess you'll have to use some heat. Might put up a fight if it's been on there for a long time.

[john108]

Bill  --  I will be replacing it but I thought I would hold it (as a routing reference) if I decided not to buy the TTI pipes.
But it may be too hard to salvage.

[areibel]

Do you have an air compressor?  One of those cheap whizzer cutters from Harbor Freight will be your friend.  You can cut the clamps and try using a block of wood and hammer to knock it apart, or just put a slice or two lengthwise in the outer pipe and pry them apart.  And buy one of those full face shields too! 
If not, like Bill said- sawzall time.  If you're trying to salvage the pipes cut them off close to where they go into the mufflers, you'll probably have to replace those anyways.
Good Luck!

[john108]

Thank you
I have the clamps and hangers disconnected from the body.
I was hoping not to cut but it may have to be .
I may try a propane torch and a hammer first but it will be a limited try.

P.S.  I do have a sawzall and a compressor with one of the Harbor Freight cheap "whizzers" .
John

[bill440rt]

If you really want to save the pipes & don't care about the mufflers, you could sawzall them off the muffler flanges as close to the muffler body as possible. Then, use the cutoff wheel to carefully cut off the remaining "collar" off the pipes (hope that makes sense).

[john108]

Bill
I am not really planning to re-use what I remove thought it might be useful as a template if I had someone make the pipes.  Probable a dumb idea because I will probably get a pre-fab mandrel bent set of pipes that will fit headers and mufflers. 

I am not sure what approach to take because after subtracting the space for the headers, good mufflers, and possibly resonators, there is not much pipe left!

[john108]

The exhaust system is out.  The advice was good and I decided to use the sawzall .  It went very quick and easy.
I decided not to save the piping and cut it into manageable size pieces.  I just saved the flanges that fit the exhaust manifolds.  The piping had various burn-thru areas.