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Just wanted to acknowledge that today marks a very sad day in history. Thoughts, prayers, and condolences for anyone who may have been directly (or indirectly) impacted, be it family, friends, colleagues, etc. 😔🙏

Nothing to worry about, just takes time. I got some 'Chrome' paint pens from Amazon, they work pretty decent, but you have to use them where it makes sense. I also got a 'refill' that works good in an airbrush, that worked good too. Both have plenty of 5 star ratings, and did the job well. Nice for the raised 'outline' area around the vents & dash gauges, radio, etc. too. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074JJ1YMY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MR2KER3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yeah, that's it, 😄

I did buy the replacement assemblies (non A/C) when I did mine, but took everything apart and just used the chrome plated vents. Did both side vents, re-using the factory housings & factory upper and lower felt washers, just had to be careful taking them apart & gluing them back together. Worked out pretty good, but took a fair amount of time. Replaced the center vents too, but don't remember if I cracked that apart too, or just used the whole replacement assembly.

Thanks Willie. Yep, I'm always thinking, keeps me awake at night, lol. I think it's that way to make manufacturing easier. It looks like that 'cone' would slide into the internal perforated pipes easier during assembly, regardless of the restriction. The 2.5" Thrush turbos were the same, except these were necked down to 1.77" inside. Thank you! I agree Jim, so far the last set is leading the pack, especially now that they're opened up a bit more. There is a set of Flowmaster Super 40 Delta Flows coming (Blowmaster as Tom would call them, lol), they're supposed to be a bit quieter, less resonance than the Super 44's tested. The Holley Stainless Aero-Chambers may be worth a shot too, they should be here in a week or so. Glad your hand is getting better, hope you're back to 100% soon!

Thanks! Took some time, but happy with the results.

Well, the Thrush Turbo mufflers came today, epic fail there. They're necked down inside worse than the other Turbos, not even going to take the other one out of the box. So, just for grins, I modified the hydraulic pipe expander to go deeper into the muffler to try & expand that restriction. Had a couple of Grade 8, 3/4-16 bolts in stock, cut the heads off & TIG welded them together to get the reach inside the muffler. Worked like a charm, so if the other couple of sets coming this week don't work out, at least these will do.

My 72 with factory air looks just like yours, both side and center vents. Some of the earlier years (not sure if both 70/71, or just a single year) had a slide lever for airflow on the side vents, but not 72 as far as I know. Yours appear to be correct.

Yeah, not much of a bargain, is it 😄 Probably because I'm sitting on my a** a lot more now, but those crappy chairs at work weren't any good either, looking back. My back hurt a lot there too, especially when working nights and trying to 'relax' there.

I was just in it a couple hours ago, hoping it would loosen up my back, but it didn't work any miracles. I certainly am a lot more relaxed though, a LOT less stress on a daily basis not having to go to the old job. I used to get migraines every couple months too, or quite a lot more frequent for a period there, but haven't had one since early March. Coincidence, not sure, but I'm not complaining.

I'm starting to wonder about that... Don't even consider it! Cut the cord and enjoy your free time!

i have periods where I feel perfectly fine, then other times nearly doubled over in pain. Just got out of bed, but laying there in pain for the last hour. Yeah, I can't wait for the muffler saga to be done. Once I get that done, I should be able to take a drive around the block.

Especially since it's a '72, the SS emblems are useless. Can't even be considered a 'clone' car, since 72 never had them. Even 70/71 didn't choose to use those giant emblems, simply out of place on a Monte. Nice looking car though, except for that.

The first are the Magnaflows, already boxed up to return. The second are the Flowmasters, consensus is they would be OK The third, Dynamax appears to be a fan favorite, but are hobbled, lol. I'm going to try another Turbo muffler, and ordered a Holley 3" set of AeroChambers. I'll see what they look & sound like when they get here.

I looked at those in my many searches this week. They appear to be the same type of muffler as the Magnaflow mufflers, straight thru type. I did not order them (yet), but didn't like the Magnaflows, to the point they're going back first. The Turbo mufflers have come out on top so far, amongst 4 of my buddies that stopped by, unfortunately, they have that stupid restriction. I have a couple more sets coming soon, so we'll see how that works out. For all this BS, I could have just kept the old 2 1/2" system and been done with it, lol.

Been playing around the last few days, between the couch & back pain, managed to get the front sheet metal shimmed & bolted back in place. Glen & Dennis asked for some exhaust comparisons, but trying to text them ruins the sound & video too much, I think. I tried some Magnaflow straight thru Stainless, Flowmaster Super 44's, and Dynomax Turbos on the car, both with & without tailpipes. Before I started this project, the car had 2" Hooker headers, mated to 2 1/2" pipes & Thrush Turbo mufflers, also 2 1/2", ending at the mufflers (no tail pipes) Car sounded pretty good with that exhaust. After this upgrade, I'm using 3" pipes now, so that required new mufflers. Thrush doesn't make the same ones I had in 3", so I'm trying these. Of the 3, not really liking the Magnaflows so far. The Flowmasters are a bit loud, but sound OK. The Dynomax Turbos are a bit quieter, but probably the closest to what I used to have. Only problem, is even though they have a 3" inlet/outlet, inside the muffler it actually necks down to 1.997". How dumb is that? For grins, I ordered the Thrush 2 1/2" Turbos to see how they sound, should be here in a day or so. In the mean time, Here's what I got, First vid had the Magnaflows, second one has both the Flowmasters & Dynomax Turbos. Picture is the restriction in the Dynomax. Forum choked on the vids, so here's the links to the actual ones loaded in the cloud drive. Magnaflow: https://1drv.ms/v/s!Akx6H-ABrxUb81Gq8lll88_oEfcc?e=TVIew1 Flowmaster/Dynomax Turbo: https://1drv.ms/v/s!Akx6H-ABrxUb81IsjiAH4I41WaN7?e=2qUlGq

Lol, I still remember you stalking her at the Carlisle meet a couple of years ago. 😄

Jealous...

I see your girl Courtney Hansen has a new show now too, on the Motor Trend channel. Called 'Ride of your Life, with Courtney Hansen". Watching it now on the DVR, doesn't seem too bad, so far.

I spent some time in Petaluma after getting out of the USAF, had a girlfriend from there. Nice area from what I remember, but never knew the movie was done there.

Boo hoo for you, 🤣.

This would suggest otherwise 🤣

OK, Pinocchio...

Supposed to rain all day today & tomorrow. That's two good cruise nights that won't happen this week, and the clock is running down for this season. Good excuse to work on the Camaro, if the velco releases me from this chair 😁. Happy holiday to all.

I liked the show when Christy Lee was on it. Maybe it was the blond hair & big...eyes.