Thread: making headers

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It would be possible inside the frame, I'm not sure if they would be romoveable though without lifting the engine a little.
I didn't really want to go outside the frame, but I think I may have to. I just didn't want to have to cut up my inner fenders.

yeah, I guess I will go outside. On the driver side it might make the steering linkage even tougher if I go outside. The steering opening in the firewall passes just next to the valve cover. I think I'd have to take the pipe on that last cylinder and keep it way above the frame to allow the steering link under it.

lot more room on the outside.

I'm not having much luck finding a place to get mandrel bent tubing. I stopped by some exhaust places and one guy told me there were only 4 mandrel benders in the country. I'm fairly certain he is clueless, but still.
I found one guy who has a bender, but not a mandrel, he said it will not wrinkle the tube, but the diameter won't stay perfectly consistent throughout the bend.
Is this unacceptable?
should I keep looking.

Originally posted by tcodi
I'm not having much luck finding a place to get mandrel bent tubing. I stopped by some exhaust places and one guy told me there were only 4 mandrel benders in the country. I'm fairly certain he is clueless, but still.
I found one guy who has a bender, but not a mandrel, he said it will not wrinkle the tube, but the diameter won't stay perfectly consistent throughout the bend.
Is this unacceptable?
should I keep looking.

I've never used them myself, but Jeg's has "build your own" header kits for BBC.
Hooker ....................$259.00 to $339.99
Dynatech..................$229.99 to $249.99
Headman .................$212.99 to $234.99

tcodi---Most autoparts houses have short radius mandrel bent peices, most header suppliers can sell you 180 degree tight radius u-bends, and if all else fails, go to the local muffler shop and buy the curviest crookedest tailpipe you can find and cut peices from it---the guy who told you there were only 2 mandrel benders in the country has been sniffing too much acetylene.

Originally posted by brianrupnow
if all else fails, go to the local muffler shop and buy the curviest crookedest tailpipe you can find and cut peices from it---

That's a good idea. Muffler shop may have scrap tubes laying in the corner they would be happy to get rid of.


sniffing too much acetylene ........................

Originally posted by tcodi
I'm not having much luck finding a place to get mandrel bent tubing. I stopped by some exhaust places and one guy told me there were only 4 mandrel benders in the country. I'm fairly certain he is clueless, but still.
I found one guy who has a bender, but not a mandrel, he said it will not wrinkle the tube, but the diameter won't stay perfectly consistent throughout the bend.
Is this unacceptable?
should I keep looking.

you can buy an assortment of dif. bends and pipe sizes from summit to make headers with.
made a lot of headers for the st. with a muf. pipe binder, over the yrs., but you need to do it your way. keep in mind the length of the pipes also. built all of my drag and round track roll cages with the pipe bender and they say you shoulnt do that either, so you cant all ways listen to me.

tech, I did see that, I'm just trying to find a local shop I can personally go. Those mandrel bends from ed's are expensive, I'd end up spending 250 bucks before I get them right.
At that rate I may as well spend 350 and buy a set of through the fender headers.
Are the headers gonna be crappy if I use the tubing from the guy who doesn't have the mandrel?

Originally posted by tcodi
tech, I did see that, I'm just trying to find a local shop I can personally go. Those mandrel bends from ed's are expensive, I'd end up spending 250 bucks before I get them right.
At that rate I may as well spend 350 and buy a set of through the fender headers.
Are the headers gonna be crappy if I use the tubing from the guy who doesn't have the mandrel?

you are not gonna see no lose in power on the st. and the bends looks fine.

even so, I don't think I could build headers inside the frame that could be removed without lifting the engine. I don't know if I want that situation.
Even going outside, on the driver side it is still tough because of the clutch pedal. When considering where the tire will be, there isn't much room.

hey pro where do you bolt your water pump on in that pic?or are you useing electric?

tcodi
Wish I live closer to ya, would like to give you a hand so when I get to mine I would have a clue on how to do them.

Originally posted by TRUCKGUY
hey pro where do you bolt your water pump on in that pic?or are you useing electric?

Pump bolts on in the same place as before, just over the motor plate. Water holes need to be ported to match block once I get a real one.

ok just checking. ...