continued
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so here's where a few of the gremlins popped up
P3180013.jpg
when I got to the collector, I realized that I couldn't make all the bends in the space available
I'm a cheapskate, I admit it - so when I heard I could buy small, thin walled Headman headers for 768 or okay, still small, headers for 1000; I figured I'd just do it myself.
Let me be the first to say - I hate photobucket.... anyway, some considerations first
1) if you can buy the flange, do so, it makes life lots easier
2) many ways, it's easier when the exhaust system is already on the car because it gives you a hard point to run tubes to
3) never forget you have to take the starter off at some point (preferrably without having to pull the motor).
4) you want the pipes to be as equal in length as possible
5) you can have too much header - if you have no back-pressure you get bad mileage and a slower car....
6) build the headers for the motor you want to build, that's not always the same as the motor you have
7) I've built several sets of headers - and it takes about 40 hours to build.... figure +/- 10% for anyone else.
after the considerations - I bought flanges off Ebay (60 bucks), and a 2 1/4" header kit for a BBC from Speedway motors (125 bucks)
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started on driver's side thinking it'd be the hardest...
P3080015.jpg
and the passenger side looks like this
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so you'll note I set the collectors and worked to the collectors from the flanges
P3090011-1.jpg
I always figured it was 10 lbs of stuff in a 5 lb bag - but it does fit
this is the guy I got the flanges from (nice stuff)
http://www.noxiouscustoms.com/
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note that even though I had lots of bends to choose from, I still had to apply heat to make it fit
so here it is all tacked together
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starting on the passenger side, note how I had to go up and over for #4
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this picture doesn't even big to show how tight it was getting these pipes through
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here's the driver's side out before I cut it apart to weld it
continued
P3180011.jpg
so here's where a few of the gremlins popped up
P3180013.jpg
when I got to the collector, I realized that I couldn't make all the bends in the space available
apparently I'm over quota, so I'll post the rest later....
Curious... Could you possibly buy headers for a Chevelle, cut the flanges off, and weld the Buick flanges on? Chevy headers are much cheaper. I relize you may have to do a little tweaking.....
I did that when I built headers for my 500 caddy powered studebaker truck. In the end, I had thinner metal, and more time making it fit (and it hung too low).... so the answer is yes and no, yes - you can, but no - it's more work
hmmm, interesting that you built your own. That's cool, but I don't understand your cost justification. I don't think Heddman even makes headers for Buick A bodies, and you can buy others new for under $500. I recently paid $100 for some used ones in very nice condition.
Nothing wrong with making your own though.
86 GN, all factory options, engine build in progress
72 Skylark Convertible, 462, TH 400
72 GSX Clone 464, TH400, 3:42. 10.71 @126mph best
We build GM carburetors and specialize in custom built Quadrajets
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mark@quadrajetpower.com
I run an original '67 GS400, and I did not find any "bolt in" headers available.
I bought a set from T/A and found you needed to go to a totally different steering to allow the drivers side to fit, and the passenger side would fit with a notch in the frame.
I bought a set from Poston and the driver's side fit, but the passenger side needed the same notch!
I believe the notch was required because both sets of headers were made for a non original installation of a bbb. When using the install kits and newer engine pads the engines are moved back and up...
I thought I paid 600+ for each set.
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maybe it was hooker who made the other headers? dunno, the cheapest I found when I did these headers was ~$750. In either case, I have less than 200 in these headers...
Also, these headers are 2 1/4 - all the other headers I found were smaller (this is where the headers were built for the next motor, not this one thus I'll need the extra flow).
to continue
Here's the the passenger side - I had to cut my exhaust pipe back 6" to make it fit
So I cut them apart and welded the tubes, then welded them back together - if you're doing this on your own, remember to weld the 4 pipes together before you weld the outside (the center where the pipes come together)
I had to add 4" to the driver's side so that the header lengths and collectors were the same length
so here are the completed headers
Left side
I was going to have the headers coated, however, my nephew took some headers that I'd used VHT on to have coated and the guy complained about how hard it was to get the paint off.... so why spend 200 when 20 works just as well and can be touched up?
right side
in the car after running for awhile
questions?
Saying "I built them" is so much cooler than saying "I bought them."
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