170 B Muffler Brace

[gwillford]

Question. Muffler brace p/n 0550159-5 on a 53 170B. I am in the process of installing a set of OHd mufflers on my O300. The muffler lower brace will not fit even with messing around with the clamps. My question is, are most of you using this brace or is this being omitted? Without it the mufflers are extremely rigid. Comments?

[GAHorn]

Assuming your aircraft SN is above 25764 (?) which uses the -5 brace.
My airplane uses the 055159 brace and it fits fine. (My AC SN is 25713.) Not certain the difference in the two brackets, but I believe it was necessary to prevent exhaust system cracking.

[N170BP]

Question. Muffler brace p/n 0550159-5 on a 53 170B. I am in the process of installing a set of OHd mufflers on my O300. The muffler lower brace will not fit even with messing around with the clamps. My question is, are most of you using this brace or is this being omitted? Without it the mufflers are extremely rigid. Comments?

Is that exhaust brace an original part? If not, where did you get it?

If you go to the Premier (or whomever else) website and plug
that part number in, you'll see it's been superceded by
something else. The newer exhaust brace will not fit
(ask me how I know). I ended up weld repairing my
original exhaust brace. Personally, I don't think I would operate
without the brace, as the stacks, mufflers & tailpipe assy's are quite
heavy. I wouldn't feel comfortable hanging all that weight on those
thin stack flanges without some kind of bracing like the factory
utilized.

[gwillford]

George, good catch. Should be p/n 0550159 no dash as my serial number is 25742. Looks like our birds were on the line together. From what I see, they practiced on mine before building yours . The comment about crack prevention is a good one. Although sufficiently stiff, I could see them vibrating. I have spent enough $ on them to do it over again.