Need info on C muffler and manifold

Yes, you can still get that original underhood muffler. I just put one on my '42B. If you get the good ones that fit w/o any problem (it's real tight under the hood) it will be an OEM Nelson and they are pricey at around $100+ at an AGCO dealer. I have used a cheap, through-the-hood Stanley for a number of years and have had the same water problem you mention, even with a working rain cap. I have read about a couple of different ways to try and avoid it: 1) mount some kind of shield tight around the portion of stack under the hood that would deflect any water away from the joint between stack and manifold and 2) thread a pipe thread into the manifold, install a stub and fit a muffler stack over the stub. Number 2 would require expanding the size of the standard muffler stack to fit or some other size adaptation. I also understand that there is an original style through-the-hood muffler that fits down close to that joint and shields it. That style also attaches to the manifold with two bolts rather than one, assuming you have the manifold to accept it. I believe it is a later OEM design for the B and C. I have only seen pictures of this design (the one in the current parts book).

I decided to go back to the original under hood muffler for two reasons: 1) the water problem you mention and 2) I do a lot of mowing with by B. Along edges of my fields there are lots of low hanging limbs that constantly catch on the high through-the-hood muffler style.

Rod

When we used to have the original under hood muffler on a long time ago, I can't remember if the paint got burned or not. Not sure I was interested way back then either :o). A couple of years ago I painted my hood after many years of it having absolutely no paint at all. Before I decided to go back to the original muffler, I happened to run across a post on this board (or the other one), from Butch (OH) I think, that talked about burning the paint and provided some advice to use an adhesive heat shield on the underside of the hood to prevent it.

I thought that was an excellent idea (even if only as a precaution) so I got some heat insulation from Eastwood Company. It installed nicely on the hood. It has an extremely good adhesive. You can't relocate it once it's down without destroying it (and maybe the hood too). I haven't used the tractor enough yet to evaluate the results but I am quite sure there will be no burning of any paint with this stuff in place, no matter how hard I work the B. I didn't do the whole hood. Just in the area of the muffler and a few inches around it.

Rod