After wrestling the new tank in, the tailpipes are basically touching the tank.
I thought once pushed up into place there would be some clearance.
It appears I will have to shorten the pipes a bit.
What's the recommended clearance for the tailpipes?

 

Is this a 442 or Cutlass?
Something doesn't look right. The pipe should be centered between the tank and shock, which brings it closer to the tire.
The U shape in the tail pipe needs to be (more) centered over the axle and tucked up higher. That will pull the pipe back away from the tank.
Trim the pipe at the muffler to move it back towards the muffler. Then twist it so its parallel to the trunk drop-off and tucked up along the trunk pan

If it's a 442 this will mess with the trumpet reveal. The trumpets should be ~2.5" from tip to bumper. You may need to lengthen the tailpipe at the trumpet end to achieve that or buy new tails and start over if you already cut them.

If it's a Cutlass with baloney cut ends, which is correct for a Cutlass, (no trumpets or cutout rear bumper) then you are OK to trim it back at the muffler.

Always install exhaust systems lose and adjust with everything installed onto the car, bumper included.

You need at least 2 or 3 fingers distance from the tank.

 

Do you have bigger than stock tailpipes?
Alain
red W-31

 

Here's some pix of a better installation: Note the section of the pipe is parallel to the axle.

 

Thanks for the pics,
I haven't trimmed the tailpipes at all. (yet)
They are 2.5"
now the challenge is how to get them out with minimal disruption/disassembly.
I put the exhaust on when the body was off so this may be tough on my back with little clearance.
There is not enough room to even disconnect the tailpipe from the muffler.
Thinking of cutting it in place. do those chain-type tailpipe cutters work?

Cutlass with 442 bumper with cutouts

 

Yep lesson learned the hard way...the only way. The final system location is determined at the end when the 10 thousand stack-up tolerances stack together, then tighten clamps.The 2.5" tails should fit ok. Who bent the pipes?

The pipe bend configuration does not look correct. It never parallels the axle. Take a good look at mine. See how it is closer to the diff. Then parallels the axle then bends up to get in the trunk drop off area. Yours does not exhibit that path. Check the muffler inlet & outlet? Inlet from the head pipes should be offset toward the drive shaft. Outlet is centered.

Is yours a Quantum made tank? I see the GM tag on the box.

Try loosening the clamps and see if the pipe will rotate?

 

Before you go through the trouble of cutting anything call the vendor and ask what's going on.
The more I look at the pics the more it tells me these pipes are not the right application.

Ill bet the pipes wont align with bumper cutouts???

Is this a 68-69?

 

Should be correct.
Pypes Performance Exhaust SGA42 - Pypes H-Bomb Exhaust Systems
1970 Cutlass but with the bumper cutouts.

Here's a pic of the pypes before the body was put on.

 

Just an observation, the kick up over the axle isn’t tight enough, the “u” section is much tighter on my uninstalled tailpipes, and rotating the pipes will make the fitment worse.
just no .02

 

Tim:
The aftermarket exhaust kits (like yours and mine from Pypes) route the tailpipe a little differently than the OEM pipe. The 2-1/4" OEM pipes did indeed run parallel to the axle after crossing over the axle tube before angling behind the rear tire - see pics below.

Rodney

 

I have that system without the h pipe on my 69. The fit is tight over the axle. I had to mess with mine yrs ago to get it to fit good but it fit and the tailpipes were perfectly in the bumper cut out. Maybe you can slide the tailpipe in the muffler a little more or shift the muffler forward a bit to get the clearance to the tank.

 

I am thinking that taking an inch or two off the tailpipe going into the muffler should do the trick.
Has anyone used one of these?

 

I have; borrowed my neighbor's. I told him it's going to disappear if he kicks the bucket. It works great!

 

I have that tool, and yes works great.