FlatBroke's next project:: Custom headers

[FlatBroke]

Like the title says, I want custom headers and (as usual) am to much of a cheapskate to buy some, besides, noone makes what I want and there is no way Im commin off enuff money to have someone build a set for me @ 500 to 600 bucks. SOO, I have a spare set of headers, plus one all by itself. Already started hackin up the old set and clealing up each tube and the flanges, The big question I have is
" Is this something I can just "Hack-n-Tack" till I get what I want" Or does someone have better Ideas to offer.

My plan thus far is to do just that, "Hack-n-Tack" till I get what I want, then, If I need finish welding done I can take them to the local muffler shop and pay for that at a reasonable price.

All comments and suggestions are welcome
Good, Bad, or Indifferent.

Thanks Guys.

 

[Gastrick]

Flatster,

It's not a bad idea at all to cut up headers and make up a pair to suit your own needs. When you say "hack and tack" how exactly are you going to tack them? If you can tack them, most likely you can go ahead and finish the up yourself with a little patience. Also, you may want to check local exhaust shops for scraps. Sometimes they have scrap bends that you can pick up for nothing or next to nothing.

If you get almost finished with the mock up but are short a bend or two, you can buy single bends from places like Speedway at a relatively low cost. Example below:

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mild-Steel-Assorted-U-Bends,1734.html?parentDisplayId=1731

 

[FlatBroke]

Thanks Gastrick.

I went a week ago and talked to the guy @ the local muffler shop and he said he would be glad to help if he could. The main reason I say "Tack'em" is cause I are not a welder. I may try it depending on how it goes.

Thanks for the link also.

 

[Sam_Fear]

Seems to me headers would be a good practice welding project.

 

[chopper tom]

Go for it ! it's just metal and if you can tack it then you can weld it even if it's only a series of good tacks till it's done .
sounds like a perfect project to learn some welding on !
What are you building ,something wild like fender well exit headers!!?
Thad be killer on that ol truck ! Or wow ! mabie a strait axle set up gasser style with some old five slot mags with 4'' frount runners up front[not mine ,dont ask ,you cant have em.!?]and lose the front bumper!!!!!!
Man !see what happens when you do learn to weld ,i get in way over my head really fast.!?
What ever happens just remember to post pics !

 

[scrap metal 48]

Here's a set I whipped up for my truck.....

 

[Ratcrazy]

These is a set I made from old race car headers for my inline six.
Not that hard to do. Just mounted the flange to the block and started piecing them together from the parts I cut off the old headers.

 

[FlatBroke]

Chopper Tom,
No....Nothing "RADICAL" is really my plan, simply want to relocate my header collectors. They are way too low. Not gonna buy any shorty headers either.

Sam,
You gotta point..

Scrap Metal, Ratcrazy
I like those, Both.



Keep the advice and pics commin.

 

[Shea Laking]

You must have those stupid "generic" thingys that everybody builds, "works for 2WD and 4WD"...The ones that point at the ground on an angle?

My best friend's had TWO sets of those, and hated 'em both...The set he's got on the truck he has now were free tho, so he can't b***h too much...

Dig what you're doin', I've got no bux either. Just scrape together better used junk for my S-10 whenever I can, a $ here, a $ there...

Regards,
Shea

 

[FlatBroke]

Won't be able to do anything till this weekend.

Stay tuned, Maybe I will take some pics....