MC5 Muffler...need help from 5'ers.

[Ncbob]

Guys, I'm having a running gun battle with the good folks at MCI in that they think they know more than they know and I'm not seeing what I'm looking at.

My muffler needs replacement. It measures about 36" long and is oval and about 18" wide at it's widest dimension.  MCI want to sell, and have but I'm sending it back a muffler which is too short, too wide and just plain won't fit in the space provided...but then they're looking at parts books not a bus.

So, let me ask some of you with 5A's...would you please look at your muffler and give me a rough measurement of what is installed on your bus, please?  Now they're trying to tell me that my muffler is some sort of an after market freak. Same old stuff.  Parts pushers know nothing about what the wrench bender has to live with...they don't even know how to get dirty!

Thanks in advance.

Bob

[tekebird]

Bob, it is likely that they are looking at an MC5-C parts book and not a 5A.

[jjrbus]

The muffler on my 5C is approximately 24 inch long and 12 inch tall and maybe 20 in at the widest part of the oval. Sounds like Tek may be right on!!!

[Ncbob]

Jim, I now have 2 mufflers for a 5C..1 used and one new..can't use either one.  These folks just DON'T want to deal with old buses!  I might just have to take an old welding tank and make one! Something's gonna have to give here....and soon!

Bob

[tekebird]

I would figure that it has been many moons since MCI was callled on to supply a muffler for a MC-5A.  OEM manufaturers are mandated to keep parts in inventory for 20 years.

Chances are the part number for your muffler has been obsolete for some time.

that is not to say you can't find one.....as mufflers are a vendor supplied part.

you just have to figure out what it is and where to get it.

[Len Silva]

Try Donaldson https://dynamic.donaldson.com/webc/WebStore/hierarchy/hierarchy.html?section=10194

They also have a cross reference if you have a part number.

Len

[Rodsmc5c]

 
  NCBOB
         I am in need of a new muffler for my 79'  5C !!  If  this is of has interest to you, email me at Gammon@comcast.net
        Thanks
              Rod

[Gary '79 5C]

Ncbob,

I can not assist with the muffler directly other than the previous suggestion to go to Donaldson.
My experience with Blackwood NJ MCI was when I asked for a 5C alternator. Desk attentant said they (MCI) never made a 5, maybe a 9 etc. I said I had 28,000 lbs of a 5 and asked for the manager. He was not avail but we did find a new alternator for $2,800. I was polite and declined his offer to ship overnite.

Have not been back since. But the youth of this country should be more attentive to their jobs especially when front and center of their customers.....Just because it is 25 years old it was made by MCI, Also new customers often come from old customers ...

Good Luck.

Gary

[skihor]

I don't know about stock for your 5A, but on mine I had a PO installed Donaldson, round muffler. If I recall it's around 9" DIA. and around 27" long. The best part is under $100 cash and carry. I thought it had too much back pressure so I punched out the center diffusing disc. It got REALLY loud and lost some power, and also had a "whistle". These old 2 strokes like a little back pressure. If you go with the Donaldson leave it stock, it works fine. I'm going to change over to an Aero, More like $350. Loud but supposed to be better MPG etc... Truck parts stores have all of the elbows to make your own system. I mocked it up and held everything together with muffler clamps and then went to a muffler shop and had it all welded together. Clamps don't seal up well and I had some exhaust smell on the old system. That's why I welded every joint.

Don & Sheila

[ol713]

Hi;
     I would suggest contacting MCI tech services.  They might be
     able to help.  They helped me with wire routing questions on
     my MC-7.  This has been a few years ago and hope they
     haven't retired.
                            Good luck,  Merle

[Fredward]

Bob,
I just went out to take some measurements. My exhaust pipe comes down the driver's side rear corner and nineties forward into a resonator which is about 18" long including fittings; it is round and the circumference is about 28". In front of the resonator is the muffler. Both connections are on the rear of the muffler; in and out. It measures about 30" long including fittings, it is oval shaped and the circumference is about 42". The tail pipe comes out of the driver's side of the muffler and heads straight back along side of the resonator and then angles down to clear the rear edge of the coach.

This may not be "factory" either because it looks like the tailpipe does not fit into the muffler quite right. I think they had to slice and squish the flange on the muffler down to the size of the tailpipe and then welded the tailpipe on. I'm not quite sure. Otherwise it all looks like it could be stock. it all fits neatly below the cover separating those components from the engine area. No leaks or soot anywhere.

Fred

PS the windchill in Minnesota is around -15 tonite. Walking out to the shop made me think of all you guys smart enough to drive south for the winter or at least for Jack's rally. Glad the coach at least is inside!

[christopher]

ncbob
you have any pics of your bus i want to see the paint scheme
thanx
chris
mci5c

[makemineatwostroke]

Ncbob have you tried  United Muffler I have bought hard to find mufflers from them before www.unitedmuffler.com

[Tom Y]

Bob, I thought the one from my 5C was going to work for you? Is it to big around? Do you want to bring it back? Thanks Tom Y

[Ncbob]

Tom Y, the muffler I bought from you was cannibalized to give me a better understanding of how the Engineers at MCI wanted to handle the problems of exhaust gases, noise and harmonics without adding back pressure to a somewhat sensitive 2 stroke cycle engine. I still have it and it might just become a training aid for some future seminar at Bussin' 2008 or somewhere in the great beyond.

Cliff and I were discussing this tonight, you remember Cliff...with the GMC muffler problem in a 4905 a year or so ago where the muffler (or failure thereof) darned near burned up his trysting place for he and his bride?

Fortunately it didn't (because he had the presence of mind to install a water hose for washing hands and fighting fires) and all worked out pretty well with the help of some dumb redneck from the NC mountains...probably someone he met at the scene of the fire......

But tomorrow Cliff and I are going to examine my situation very carefully and I can't help but feel that a GM owner will finally understand the logic of a well laid out exhaust system, not one that puts the muffler under your bedroom.  And then...with his help I believe we can come up with a viable solution to what really is a rather simple (not GMC) problem.

And the fun begins......

Bob