The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Hi Everyone,

I'm a new owner with a 1952 Cessna 170B and I have a question regarding the exhaust tailpipes. From reading on the forum it seems my tailpipes are cut incorrectly (opening rearward rather than forward). In fact, on the right co-pilot side the edge of the tailpipe cut-off is just even with the cowling opening. On the flight home from CO to OH I had a tremendous amount of exhaust build up on the lower cowling, but I also noticed a thin film inside the engine compartment. So, I want to get this fixed to reduce the amount of clean up needed to keep the plane looking good. I'm thinking I need to buy new tailpipes and install them.

The muffler on my plane says "Hanlon & Wilson Co. Model 221".

I've found two possible sources for new tailpipes:
-Wag-Aero - https://www.wagaero.com/model-specific- ... pma-d.html
-Aerospace Welding (AWI) - https://awi-ami.com/cessna-170a-b-exhau ... pped-image

So here are my questions:

1. Is the Hanlon & Wilson muffler the stock / standard muffler for my plane?
2. Are there other/better tailpipes? (I know about Bartone but I don't think I want to go that route at this time)
3. Would these tailpipes work with my muffler?
4. I think the AWI tailpipes look nicer but the idea of the slightly longer Wag-aero tailpipes appeals to me to reduce exhaust stains. From the pictures, the AWI looks equally long, does anyone have any experience with them?
5. Any general advice or perspective I may not be considering?

Thank you,
Ben

To answer #1, no your airplane left the factory with pancake style mufflers. The Hanlon Wilson you have are the replacement assuming you have the correct complete system. By correct I mean not larger 172 model Hanlon Wilsons and both the left and right mufflers being the same, not different as is called out for '53 and later. As I don't see blisters on your cowl, practically require to use the incorrect larger diameter 172 mufflers, I think your safe there. If you happen then to have the incorrect right muffler, this wouldn't effect your exhaust pipe choice as that part is the same '52 or earlier Hanlon Wilson system or '53 and later Hanlon Wilson system.

My experience is that many who by Wag Aero products call them swag aero parts because it is Wag's swag at making the part. They are very close, sometimes usable with little mods or worse.

I'd buy from AWI given the choice of Wag or AWI.

Now since AWI is trying to make the pipes as they should be, and as the length of the pipe should put it only about an 1" out of the cowling, what you get from AWI, may not be what you want. If you are looking for longer length out of the cowl as you will see on may planes. I'd measure your current short pipe, including that part slipped into the muffler, then contact AWI and compare it to the length they make it.

Another option would be to look around for a good hot rod muffler shop and see if you could have your current pipes extended with stainless tips, then weigh the options.

BTW if you want to know if you have the correct right muffler, show me a picture of the front of the right muffler and I'll tell you.

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:To answer #1, no your airplane left the factory with pancake style mufflers. The Hanlon Wilson you have are the replacement assuming you have the correct complete system. ...

The pancake style ended with the C-170A. Starting with s/n 20267, the 1952 model, is the sausage style. Benny’s s/n is around 20598. My ‘52 had automotive chrome exhaust extensions which were about 8” long. My guess is this was a pretty common method of reducing exhaust stains on the cowling.

n2582d wrote:The pancake style ended with the C-170A. Starting with s/n 20267.

You are right Gary. I was thinking and am correct that the retro fit for all pancake systems is the '52 Hanlon Wilson system which was only found on that year and is different than '53 and later. But '52 models did not come with pancake mufflers.

benny wrote:Hi

So here are my questions:

1. Is the Hanlon & Wilson muffler the stock / standard muffler for my plane?
2. Are there other/better tailpipes? (I know about Bartone but I don't think I want to go that route at this time)
3. Would these tailpipes work with my muffler?
4. I think the AWI tailpipes look nicer but the idea of the slightly longer Wag-aero tailpipes appeals to me to reduce exhaust stains. From the pictures, the AWI looks equally long, does anyone have any experience with them?
5. Any general advice or perspective I may not be considering?

Thank you,
Ben

Hello Ben!
I recommend the AWI tailpipes for your installation. The “extended” types have a reputation for causing cracks of the cross-brace due to vibration and don’t really help much with regard to exhaust stains on your cowl. (I have each example on two different aircraft and am speaking from personal experience.)
AWI is one of our Association supporters and Charlie Felds is our contact person. I’m certain you will be happy with their product.

Thank you all for the feedback. I really appreciate it. One follow up question I wasn't entirely clear on. Since I have the Hanlon & Wilson on a 1952 model, does that mean I have two right-side mufflers? So do I need to order two right-side tailpipes as well? Or is it ok to order one left and one right side tailpipes?

benny wrote:Thank you all for the feedback. I really appreciate it. One follow up question I wasn't entirely clear on. Since I have the Hanlon & Wilson on a 1952 model, does that mean I have two right-side mufflers? So do I need to order two right-side tailpipes as well? Or is it ok to order one left and one right side tailpipes?

Benny, you have original Hanlon Wilson mufflers/exhaust and you should order by part number: 0550157-4 (left) and 0550157-3 (right).

You need one each of them. Your airplane precedes the ‘53 serial range (Serials 25373 and subsequent) which used a different cabin heating/ventilation system that requires a different right muffler than your pre-25372 serial) airplane. You do NOT have two “right-side” mufflers.

The confusion comes from pre-serial 20267 which left the factory with the so-called “pancake” exhaust system. When that pancake system is upgraded to the Hanlon-Wilson system, two PN: 0550157-9 mufflers are used. This is commonly referred to as “two later-B-model” left-hand mufflers. (IE, the early B model used the same PN both sides, but the later B model used that same PN on the left only...with a unique PN: 0550157-32 muffler on the right side to accommodate the improved cabin heating system of post 25372 airplanes.

Hope that helps.

BTW: if you don’t have a B-model Illustrated Parts Catalog.... get one...where this is shown on pages 88 and 89. If you want an electronic copy of the 170-B IPC contact me and I’ll email one to you... OR... you can download a copy from our MX LIBRARY: http://cessna170.org/forums/viewtopic.p ... 975#p16975

I have extra pipes 7155842136 Mike