[Roadsters] Aftermarket Header Install

[Daryl Smith]

Thanks for the notes about the headers/manifolds. Glad I'm not the only one
having difficulties.
I figure the only way to make this fit is to cut and weld the part that bolts
to the header to angle it
back towards the correct direction and away from the engine tranny.
Here's hoping I get it on the first try.......

Daryl


----- Original Message -----
From: "dave" <daveandlindab at comcast.net>
To: " Datsun-Roadsters at Autox. Team. Net" <datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2008 8:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Roadsters] Aftermarket Header Install


>I got two from a vendor, a 2000 3 yrs ago using the flex pipe and a 1600
> econo last month bolted straight to the exhaust with a couple cones..
> Both fit great, no issues.
>
> Funny enough, I bought a set of Hooker headers for a Dodge truck years
> ago, figured better to pay for the name brand.  Boy was I wrong.
> Similar problem, the right headers flange was 20 plus degrees "up" from
> vertical and not square to the frame.  Called Hooker, got a polite
> "tough".  Had to make a question-mark shaped pipe to get it back on
> track.
>
> Sounds extreme, but if it's not coated, could you cut the flange off and
> reweld it straight?  Might be easier than all the problems getting a
> pipe on.
>
> Dave Brisco
> ECR.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Daryl Smith [mailto:drlsmith at dccnet.com]
> Have been working on installing the aftermarket header on my '66
> roadster
> today.
> Took the previous 1 5/8"  4-2-1  header off because of a bad gasket leak
> at #1
> cylinder at the head.
>
> Have to say the welds on the aftermarket header at the head flange look
> great.
> Nice and smooth, everything lines up well, bolts right on.
> Get down to the collector tho, and everything goes haywire!
> It seems to be about 3/4" to 1" too short, so that the flex pipe has to
> be
> bent upward to meet it.
> Then the collector is angled towards the block and down by 15 to 20
> degrees.
> The flex pipe will be rubbing up against the tranny/flexplate.
> I ground a bunch of welding "slag" from the inside of the collector to
> free up
> a bit of exhaust flow.
> The pipes sit almost tight to the block/oilpan heating those parts and
> the
> gasket unnessecarily. There is room for it to be easily 1/2" away from
> the
> engine.
>
> I don't know whether I got an especially bad example or not, but it's
> easy to
> see why these headers never got an endorsement from the roadster
> community.
>
> Now to be fair this header is probably 5 years old, but never installed.
> I
> don't know if all or any of these issues have been dealt with in any
> updated
> headers. But what a PITA to hook an exhaust pipe to!!
>
> Anyone having similar problems?
>
> Daryl