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Thread: Exhausting thread - or how to build headers for an A-body

  1. #1
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    Exhausting thread - or how to build headers for an A-body

    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)



    P3080017.jpg

    started on driver's side thinking it'd be the hardest...

    P3080015.jpg


    and the passenger side looks like this

    P3080019.jpg

    P3090001.jpg

    P3090005.jpg

    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/

    P3100001.jpg

    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
    P3100002.jpg

    starting on the passenger side, note how I had to go up and over for #4
    P3110001.jpg

    this picture doesn't even big to show how tight it was getting these pipes through
    P3110004.jpg

    here's the driver's side out before I cut it apart to weld it

  2. #2
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    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

  3. #3
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    apparently I'm over quota, so I'll post the rest later....

  4. #4
    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.....

  5. #5
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    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

  6. #6
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    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
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    72 GSX Clone 464, TH400, 3:42. 10.71 @126mph best

    We build GM carburetors and specialize in custom built Quadrajets

    www.quadrajetpower.com
    mark@quadrajetpower.com

  7. #7
    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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  8. #8
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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

  9. #9
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    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?

  10. #10
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    Headers

    Saying "I built them" is so much cooler than saying "I bought them."

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