Exhaust repairs

[cvaughn]

I repaired my exhaust system over the past several weeks. I will try to discuss only what was different from others who went before me.
I did have an exhaust leak. The leak made toast of the oem insulation over the valve covers. I changed to a direct contact product I got from Thermal Control Products, inc. near the Lowes Motor Speedway. http://www.thermalcontrolproducts.com. They use the product on fire walls of race cars adjacent to 1300 degree headers. I also got silicon tape to seal the joints etc. The tape is good to >= 500 degrees. I used an oem style muffler. My mileage seems off some however I haven't really given it a good test. The old muffler had failed internally and I could see thru it. Maybe a one inch hole. My pyrometer thermal couple broke upon removal. Finding one with 1/8" pipe threads was tough. Next time I would get the fabricator to install a 1/4" bung to the 180 turn pipe. The 1/4" thermal couplings are available every where.
The new thermal control product is a definite improvement. Heat transfer is less now than when I got the coach in 2004. Obviously the new pipes don't leak exhaust so the smell is gone.