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  •  » The joys of long tube headers............update!

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    10/31/2019 6:16 PM  #1

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,850

    The joys of long tube headers............update!

    Old 20+ year old headers have suffered  terminal pin hole-ism.  Don't have a welder and everybody either can't weld it or wants to retire off of one job of welding 4 pinholes! I just hate to replace them because 1....The exhaust system is 'fitted' for these headers/collectors.
                   2....These fit pretty darn good/don't hang low/plug accessibility etc.
                   3.... I hate to pay a welder to do what I could probably do better IF I had a machine.
                    4....I have no idea what brand these headers are because they were on the Mustang when I                   
                          bought it and they are too rusty to find a "mark or number".
    I bought a set of Flow Tech long tubes and they fit really well........(well sorta)
    They came with gasket...reducer....header bolts...everything really.
    Did a semi trial fit the first time and no Z-bar interference...no starter issues..don't hang too low..really a better fit than the old ones.
    Wallered out the holes to give me a little more wiggle room during fit-up (A very good idea actually)
    Installed for the final fit AND......one of the bolts didn't want to tighten up (a little cross threaded) Pulled that side and run a tap in the hole  and wallered the hole out a tad more on the header....BOOM went right on.
    Installed the plugs AND.....'Houston we have an issue'!
    Although I trial fitted the plugs to insure there was no interference I only ran the plugs in finger tight. Spark plug socket won't fit over two of the plugs...(one on either side Back off again to grind and trim on the really heavy duty flange plate. When all is installed I guess I will go to a 'muff-shop' to have my exhaust altered so it will hook up to my new flow Techs.
    The collectors are a good bit longer than my old one. I wonder about the sound!!! Wonder if I will be able to hear the difference? We shall see!!
    6sally6

    Last edited by 6sally6 (11/01/2019 5:07 PM)

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    10/31/2019 9:13 PM  #2

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,246

    Re: The joys of long tube headers............update!

    All believable until you got to the “taking it to get the pipes hooked up” part...
    Your car has pipes?  You can still hear anything???

    But, seriously...  any chance the making the bolt holes larger allowed the header to have been repositioned just enough for the plugs to interfere with the flanges?  Maybe if you loosen the eight attaching bolts you could reposition it ever so slightly to get clearance back?

    Take some pics and let us know how it all turns out.

    Accel makes smaller “header plugs” that provide more clearance.  Or maybe a new set of aluminum heads that use smaller diameter plugs is the ticket here.

    Last edited by MS (11/01/2019 9:40 AM)

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    11/01/2019 5:31 AM  #3

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,490

    Re: The joys of long tube headers............update!

    I've got all manner of stuff I've made to install spark plugs on header equipped vehicles over the years.  Sometimes a wrench fits where a socket won't, especially a wrench I bent and ground on.  A socket with a wrenching hex on the back is often a good way to do it.  In extreme cases I've used specific header plugs that are short to give more clearance for installation and the boots.  Not available for every application, but ACCEL sells them as I recall.  Yeah, good times...

     

    11/01/2019 7:52 AM  #4

    TimC
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Wheaton, Illinois
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 876

    Re: The joys of long tube headers............update!

    Sal, PM sent.
    Tim

     

    11/01/2019 5:16 PM  #5

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,850

    Re: The joys of long tube headers............update!

    IF I could cuss on here I would be able to s'plain it better!! (Not really)
    After trimming the flanges I decided to quit fer da nite.  I got started again today 'at-the-crack-of-noon' (I'm retired and that's how I like to roll)  Put one side back on and...........NO JOY! Upon a closer look.......it was the dad-burn (insert expletives here)  gaskets that came with the headers!!  The headers fit GREAT butt the fat gaskets suck-da-bag!  After I trimmed those the install went great. (It should...I had them off/on  about 4 times I tink)
    Wrestling with the Z-bar bracket now and then off to the muff-shop for a tweak-or-two and this chapter will come to a close.
    6sal6

    I tried to video the 'burn-in process' of the header paint of the open headers(as they all should be!!) with fast idle and occasional revving. Maybe it was too noisey because there was no sound on either vid.
    Guess y'all will need to wait until Bash-at-the-Beach to hear fer ye self!!

    Last edited by 6sally6 (11/01/2019 5:17 PM)

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/01/2019 6:34 PM  #6

    red351
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Carlisle, PA
    Registered: 5/31/2018
    Posts: 445

    Re: The joys of long tube headers............update!

    Sounds like you could have invested in a cheap welder and give it away as a door prize or raffle in the spring...

    Last edited by red351 (11/01/2019 6:35 PM)

     

    11/01/2019 9:32 PM  #7

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,850

    Re: The joys of long tube headers............update!

    red351 wrote:

    Sounds like you could have invested in a cheap welder and give it away as a door prize or raffle in the spring...

     

    NOW you tell me!!!!
    6s6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/04/2019 9:37 AM  #8

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,246

    Re: The joys of long tube headers............update!

    I would question the feasibility of trying to weld up a rusted out header.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    11/04/2019 11:09 AM  #9

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 3,971

    Re: The joys of long tube headers............update!

    MS wrote:

    I would question the feasibility of trying to weld up a rusted out header.

    It wasn't rust Steve, all the loud exhaust noise caused metal fatigue.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    11/05/2019 2:33 PM  #10

    Steve69
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    From: Madison Wisconsin
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 2,735

    Re: The joys of long tube headers............update!

    Some JB Weld on those holes and you would been good for another 20 years...LOL  

     

    11/05/2019 6:03 PM  #11

    Huskinhano
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    Registered: 4/26/2017
    Posts: 279

    Re: The joys of long tube headers............update!

    I'm using MAC longtubes. They actually fit pretty well. On the driver's side #5 tube slips in after the main header body goes in. It makes it installation much easier! No need for a PS ram drop bracket typically needed. They also have great ground clearance and use the ball & socket collectors. Even though they weren't designed for GT40P heads, they'll fit, that's why I'm using them.

    No issues with the starter or Z bar linkage.

    Last edited by Huskinhano (11/05/2019 6:04 PM)

    I'm not a complete idiot.....pieces are missing. Tom
     

     

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