Edelbrock 5588 Installation Instructions

Edelbrock Rebuildable Race Muffler 

Repack Kit 

Installation Instructions 

Catalog #5588/55881 

§  PLEASE 

study these instructions carefully before installing your Headers.  If you have any questions or 

problems, please call our  Technical Hotline at:  1-800-416-8628 from 8:00 am  - 5:00 pm, Monday-

Friday, Pacific Standard Time or e-mail us at 

edelbrock@edelbrock.com

. 

§  TOOLS NEEDED

1.  Drill motor 

2.  3/16 Drill bit 

3.  Pop rivet gun 

§  HOW TO TELL IF IT’S TIME TO REPACK YOUR EDELBROCK REBUILDABLE RACE MUFFLER

1.  If you have noticed a sound level change from the time when the mufflers were first installed. 

2.  When tapping on the outside of the muffler case it has an empty or hollow sound, it probably needs to be 

repacked. 

Note 1:   Track size, number of laps run, engine condition and tune, type of fuel used, muffler placement, etc. all 

have an effect on the muffler packing life.  Typical S.C.R.A. Sprint Car that were tested with the 

Edelbrock Rebuildable Race Muffler have been getting between 5 to 10 nights of racing on new or 

repacked mufflers. 

Note 2:   Collector turndowns can be used to further quiet your vehicle.  Turn downs can be installed to deflect 

sound down to the ground or under the car and away from the D.B. meters. 

§  DISASSEMBLY

1.  Using the drill motor and the 3/16 drill bit, drill out all of the rivets in the muffler case being cautious not to 

enlarge the rivet holes. 

2.  Disassemble the muffler assembly. 

3.  Remove what is left of the old packing, clean were needed, be sure to remove any pieces of the old rivets that 

may be remaining in the outer case. 

§  ASSEMBLY

1.  Slip on the new steel wool sleeve (Note:  On the 3 ½” diameter muffler, a piece of 3” diameter tubing flared 

to 3 ½” I.D.  on one end will make this job much easier). 

2.  Wrap the ceramic packing around the installed steel wool sleeve. 

3.  Wrap the ceramic cloth material around the outside of the ceramic packing.   

Note: Position the seam or the end of the packing and the cloth on opposite sides of the muffler.  Rubber 

bands or masking tape can be used to hold the packing in place. 

4.  Slide the outer case over the outside of the ceramic cloth and packing.  Stand the muffler on the outlet end, 

gently squeeze the packing at the top and begin working down while the outer case slips down over the new 

packing. 

Note:   Make sure the packing and ceramic cloth stay in place as the outer case is worked down.  The better 

the repack job the longer it will be between repacks. 

5.  When the outer case has been completely slipped down, install the inlet end of muffler and align the rivet 

holes.  Using the rivet gun install the rivets. 

Note:   After the muffler goes through a number of repacks it may be necessary to drill additional or new 

holes to hold the muffler case securely together. 

Edelbrock Corporation • 2700 California Street • Torrance • California 90503 

©2002 Edelbrock Corporation    

              Rev.  1/02