Found: GMC Deuce and a half (M135) Muffler

rob love · #1 25-10-12, 21:50

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 · #2 25-10-12, 22:08

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 · #3 26-10-12, 04:29

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 · #4 02-11-12, 08:15

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.

rob love · #5 02-11-12, 15:02

I did a google search and found a dealer that had one left in stock. It is on it's way to me now. Wasn't cheap when we talk surplus. But then again, if I went in to the dealer for a muffler for my current vehicles, I would likely pay about the same.

We had the problem with the cracked manifolds back in the early 80s. The DND cast hundreds of them, but made a slight error in the casting, resulting in the majority of them going to scrap. The local surplus dealer had two bathtubs full of them.

With the price of gasoline these days, and the poor fuel economy of these trucks, I don't think anyone will be making up new parts for them any time soon. I guess it's best to grab the parts while I can.

Thanks for all the advice guys.