Found: GMC Deuce and a half (M135) Muffler

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Rob

After responding to your question, I started to search the internet to see if I could find a substitute or commercial part number. I discovered various post on other Military Vehicle forums asking the same question. Forums like G503, Steel Soldiers are they all you or is this a really hard part to find.

Now you got me curious, think down the road and crawl under a friends M135 and M211.

Cheers Phil

[rob love]

Phil
I have seen those posts as well, and that is what has made me realize the original mufflers are getting herd to find. The design of the M135 exhaust system is such that any rainfall will accumulate in the muffler, and after almost 30 years of sitting, my muffler has succumbed to the elements.

The M135 mufflers are somewhat unique in their design, with a entry from a side flange. Before I start measuring up aftermarket mufflers I would far prefer finding an original.

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by rob love

The design of the M135 exhaust system is such that any rainfall will accumulate in the muffler, and after almost 30 years of sitting, my muffler has succumbed to the elements.

My "quick and dirty" solution was to keep a tin can over the pipe (although I had the curved top end on the pipe) to keep out rain. Every so often I had to look for a new tin when I started the truck, blew the tin off and drove over it before I rememberd to pick it up.
Many years ago, I exchanged some mufflers and exhaust parts to Brian Asbury - I have no idea if he still has them or other exhaust parts for the M-135 series.

[rob love]

As a young craftsmen (LORE private) we used to enjoy tossing the odd golf ball down the exhaust stacks of deuces before a road test. It would either rattle around, making the driver worry he had something wrong, or if he didn't look for it, it was fun to see how far it would shoot out once the truck accelerated.

Ahhh, those were the days.

I'll shoot Brian a PM and see if he has any left.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Rob

Went and looked at an M211 and M135 to better understand the muffler. The M135 muffler was completely rusted away so understand that end of the problem, M211 which is on a ex-fire tanker is in good condition and now I understand why it probably not a stop at the local NAPA and get a new one. Strangely the M211 was parked next to a `90s International dump truck which had a very similar layout though being a diesel pipes were a lot larger.

For the fun of it I'll post a wanted NOS M135 muffler in our local club newsletter see if it turns up anything. The guy with the M211 is looking for some other parts.

Cheers Phil

[ahleeds]

Rob
I Hade the same muffler problem . My soulution was a large diesel tractor muffler , same oval shape , I welded the original flanges on the new muffler in the exact positions as original , this muffler has very little backpressure, and sounds very tuff . I could get more info..note I had to block off the old exit on the new muffler.
ANTHONY

[Stan Leschert]

There are several active threads on Steel Soldiers about this very item. NOS mufflers, and un-cracked exhaust manifolds seem to be made out of Unobtainium.

Several guys are trying to replicate, or at least find a suitable replacement.

Unless you are building a museum truck, just get something that looks almost right, and save your hearing. Those old stovebolts can be a little loud.