Abstract: A vehicular muffler has a body with endcaps mounted on opposed ends thereof. The body has an outer wrap and an inner wrap. The outer wrap is sheet metal having opposed edges overlapping each other to form a closed figure. The opposed overlapping edges are an outer edge and an inner edge. The inner wrap is sheet metal having opposed margins overlapping each other. The opposed margins are an inner margin and an outer margin. The inner margin has a portion adjacent to the inner edge. The outer margin is positioned between the inner margin and the outer wrap to form a gap between the terminus of the outer margin and the terminus of the inner edge.

Abstract: The vehicular muffler assembly of this invention includes a muffler which has a elongated shell. An inlet communicates with the interior of the shell to provide a port for entry of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to the interior of the shell. An outlet communicates with the interior of the shell to allow exhaust gases to leave the shell. A heat shield is mounted on the exterior of the shell. The heat shield is symmetrical and has an outer wall. The outer wall has a weld skirt which is integral with the outer wall. A plurality of discreet welds spaced along the weld skirt fixes the outer wall to the shell. A slot opening is formed in the weld skirt between adjacent discreet welds.